Photos from November and December 2012

Alaina Bandy and her fiance look on as an ice skater makes his way around the rink at Millenium Park wearing a horse mask in Chicago.

Angie Margas votes while her son Danny looks on during early voting at the polling place at Orland Township Hall, 14807 Ravinia Avenue, in Orland Park, IL on Friday November 2, 2012.

Danielle Green-Byrd, who was injured while serving in Iraq, poses at the Orland Park vet Center in Orland Park, IL on Monday November 5, 2012. Danielle was a star basketball player for Notre Dame, who now wears a prosthetic left lower-arm and hand after being injured.

Boys soccer player of the year Zack Biel of Sandburg, at the school in Orland Park, IL on Friday November 9, 2012.

Members of Richards High School's girls chess club are from left,  Jessica Zavala, Juliet Lucente, Mady Doan, Caitlin O'Sullivan, Anne Sortino, Marial Rancel and Aminah Garcia; who are practicing at the school in Oak Lawn, IL on Wednesday November 14, 2012.

Del Pearson, the Chicago police officer who was shot on March 19, 2012, stands at his home with the police department's Blue Star award in Chicago, IL on Friday November 30, 2012.  The award is given to an officer who was wounded in the line of duty. He is going to be doing the coin toss for the Chicago Bears game on Sunday.

Michael Saldana, a member of the Marian Catholic High School Band, practices near statues in the band room at the school in Chicago Heights, IL on Monday November 5, 2012. The statues are used in their current "My Brother's Keeper" performance.

Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow, talks during election night at the IBEW Local 176 Hall, 1100 NE Frontage Road, Joliet, IL on Tuesday November 6, 2012.  Mary Parks was a witness in the Drew Peterson case.

Ruby Lofton, 2nd from left, and Lorraine Guerrero scream as CNN declares that President Obama wins his 2nd term during election night at the IBEW Local 176 Hall, 1100 NE Frontage Road, Joliet, IL on Tuesday November 6, 2012.

Dr. Phillip Kaufman, an eye doctor, looks down the barrel of the NXT Generation CrossBow, which is loaded with homemade ammunition, at his office in Crete IL on Thursday December 13, 2012.  It is one of the items on his annual list of dangerous Christmas gifts. The slogan on the box says, "Bring 'Em Up Right."

State Senator Toi Hutchinson, right, hugs her mom, Janice Heno, after a press conference where she kicked off her campaign to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress at Prairie Manor Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Chicago Heights, IL on Monday December 3, 2012.

Salvation Army Bell Ringer Stephanie Porche cries as she and Ernesto Corral share a "God Moment" while she was singing and collecting money for the army at the Sam's Club, 16100 South Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park, IL on Wednesday December 12, 2012.  He said he raises his arm to "give the Lord praise and surrender to him."

Firefighters work on the home that had a fire at 16552 W. McDonald Drive in Lockport, IL on Friday December 21, 2012.  No one was hurt in the fire.

Sean McPhearson, Boston, MA a cadet from the Naval Station Great Lakes, waves to his family via cellphone during a Christmas Day feast at the American Legion Post 615 in Tinley Park,  IL on Tuesday December 25, 2012.  There were about 20 cadets at the feast.

Ava Lovell,left, gets a hug from Sydney Glasscock,  right, a cadet from the Naval Station Great Lakes, after giving her a holiday card during a Christmas Day feast at the American Legion Post 615 in Tinley Park,  IL on Tuesday December 25, 2012.  There were about 20 cadets at the feast.

Sheddrick Taliaferro, a cadet from the Naval Station Great Lakes, talks to his family in Atlanta, GA during a Christmas Day feast at the VFW Post, 17147 S. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park,  IL on Tuesday December 25, 2012.

Photographs from October 2012

Connor Lindaur, center, holds a light during a candlelight vigil during the Will County Take Back the Night rally at First Assembly of God church  in Joliet, IL on Thursday October 4, 2012.  With him from left are his sisters, Taylor and Kailey Lindaur.

Lincoln-Way East student and Color guard member Michelle Lindeman adjusts her jacket with Staff Sgt. Gavin Wortman prior to the announcement that she will be a member of the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band during a ceremony at the school in Frankfort, IL on Monday October 15, 2012. She will join an elite group of musicians who will perform during halftime of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Northeast Elementary teacher Leah Herman hugs Curtis Dennis Jr. as he arrives back for the first day of school at 91st and California Avenue in Evergreen Park, IL on Monday October 15, 2012. The school is part of Evergreen Park School District 124, which had a strike that just ended.

Former State Senator and U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson poses with the book she has written, "Playing Ball With the Big Boys," while at JN Michaels Restaurant in Matteson, IL on Monday October 22, 2012.

Liz Novak, left, Oak Forest, tosses leaves with her kids, from left, Audrey, Maylee and Hannah Novak, as they enjoy the warm temperatures while playing inside Yankee Woods in Oak Forest, IL on Thursday October 25, 2012.

A stranded passenger rests on seats at Midway Airport after his flight to Philadelphia from Chicago was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy in Chicago, IL on Monday October 29, 2012.

A Chicago Police officer looks over the wreckage of vehicle after it was hit by a Metra train at 115th and Marshfield in Chicago, IL on Tuesday October 16, 2012.  The female driver who went around the gates was killed.

Richard Tolleson, who has lived in his home for 42 years, smiles while he talks about his problems at his home in Crestwood, IL on Tuesday October 16, 2012. The Village of Crestwood has labeled his house as uninhabitable and he has to leave. He's going to live where his wife is staying while rehabbing from an illness.

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon looks at a large bear sporting a Pete Roselle bandana after a press conference at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL on Wednesday October 17, 2012.

Former Rich Central High School girls basketball coach Bryan Craig, right, sits with his attorney, Steven Richards, left, in his attorney's office in Chicago, IL on Monday October 8, 2012.  He wrote a controversial book called "It's Her Fault," and lost his job.

Father Rick Frechette, from NPH in Haiti, greets Lucille Bartels before a church service at St. Elizabeth Seton in Orland Hills, IL on Saturday October 20, 2012.  He was at the church to say a mass for all the volunteers, she is one,  who've made burial palls for Haiti's unclaimed dead.

Michelle Reynolds, Chicago, takes photos of the waves as they hit the breakwater at Calumet Park near 95th Street at Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL on Tuesday October 30, 2012. The waves were very large due to the Hurricane Sandy storm.

Runners race during the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon along South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL on Sunday October 7, 2012.

Esther Desir, a singer and medical worker from Haiti, speaks about her life during a visit to the Chicago area at Tin Fish restaurant in Tinley Park, IL on Friday October 19, 2012.  She was in town for an NPH convention and spoke with the paper after our trip their last February.

Dr. Subash Arora looks over Logan Bailey in a room in the Special Care Unit of the Family Birth Center  at Little Company of Mary's new West Pavilion in Evergreen Park, IL on Wednesday October 24, 2012. Logan is the first baby to have been brought into the center from the old hospital.

Frank Bilo, a Korean War veteran ad also a recipient of the Purple Heart, poses in his home in Burbank,  IL on Wednesday October 31, 2012.

Photographs from September 2012

Bobby Paris Peak II holds a photo of his son, Paris Darien Peak from when he had custody of him, at his home in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, IL on Thursday September 6,  2012.  Peak claims his now teenage son was involved with a school employee at Rich South High School last year. He claims the employee was fired after he found explicit text exchanges between his son and the school secretary.

Bridget O'Brien-Martin hugs her son, Danny Martin, at their home in Chicago, IL on Friday September 14,  2012. Bridget has lost two infants, Grace, on the left, and Christopher on the right,  to a medical condition called Neonatal Hemochromatosis, and will host a benefit at Gaelic Park to raise awareness and money for research.

Marcia Savio, with her son Nicholas Savio, and husband Henry, gets emotional as she talks about the Drew Peterson verdict outside the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, IL on Thursday September 6,  2012.

Jurors from the Drew Peterson case are from left, Patricia Timke(1st alternate) Teresa Mathews, Eduardo Saldana and Jeremy Massey as they speak to the media at the Will County Administration Building in Joliet, IL on Friday September 7,  2012.

Patrons hang out at Watson's Diner and Pub during a cruise night in downtown Elwood, IL on Monday September 11,  2012. The Village of Elwood and the Manhattan Car Club held the benefit for Brittany Pirc because she was seriously hurt in a car accident.

Mariellen Newquist, left, and Jennifer Knight hug during a rally for their teachers union at Central Junior High School in Evergreen Park, IL on Monday September 11,  2012. Teachers in AFT Local 143 union held the rally in advance of next talks with their school district. A potential strike is looming in Evergreen Park.

Kindergarten teacher Meghan Meyrer greets students with two thumbs up as they wait to enter Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Avenue in Chicago, Il on Wednesday September 19,  2012.  This was the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike.

Providence's #6, Michael Ford and Joliet Catholic Academy's #9, Lorenzo Reyes  fight for a ball as #19, Patrick Kowalkowski looks on during their game at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, IL on Monday September 17, 2012. 

Rod Buckner, Director of Planning for Medinah Country Club, walks through the mens locker room as it is getting prepped for the Ryder Cup at the club in Medinah, IL on Friday September 21, 2012.

Twin Sisters Julie Vanderweel, left, and Ann Mamak, show off a photo book they each received during a 90th birthday party with their family at Aurelio's Pizza, 9901 W. Lincoln Hwy, in Frankfort, IL on Saturday September 29, 2012.  In the photo on the cover of the book, they are in the same positions.

NBA star Dwyane Wade smiles at his mother's church,  New Creation, 12900 S. Halsted St., as he arrived for a signing of his new book, "A Father First: How My life Became Bigger Than Basketball," in Chicago, IL on Tuesday September 11,  2012.

A flock of geese fly past a nearly full moon as it rises over the south side of Chicago near St. Xavier University in Chicago, IL on Saturday September 29, 2012.  

Photos from June to September 2012

Raquel Banuelos, Naperville,  center,  is comforted by Anna Snitko as Ricardo Banuelos looks on at Route 126 and Schlapp Road in southern Kendall County, IL on Tuesday June 5, 2012.  Alexis Banuelos, their daughter, was killed in a car accident with two other teens at this location on Monday.  

Postal Worker Rey Marquez, cools himself off from working under the blazing sun along his route in Joliet, IL on Thursday July 6, 2012.  103 degrees, the new official high temperature for the day, was set at O'Hare, which is the official climate site for the city of Chicago.

Mona Purdy sits on top of ten pallets of unsorted shoes in her warehouse for Share Your Soles in Alsip, IL on Tuesday June 12, 2012.  The clock is ticking on Mona's warehouse. She has about a week before she has to be out.

George Schick from the Orland Fire Protection District,  carries a pet out of the Raudonikis residence after a basement fire in the home at 14712 West Avenue in Orland Park, IL on Wednesday June 27, 2012.  A few pets were rescued from the fire, but at least one died.

Joliet Slammers Hector Pellot jumps over Windy City Thunderbolt's Brandon Decker after throwing a double play during their game at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood, IL on Monday June 25, 2012.  

Vickey Pogliano cries as she is comforted by Tom Vincent outside of the IBEW hall after members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Local Lodge 851 voted to approve a tentative six-year agreement with Caterpillar in Joliet, IL on Friday August 17,  2012.

As Principal Gaylyn Grimm looks on, Michael Dlouhy, center,  practices place values with fellow students, Myasar Al-Tahleh and Ali Hakawati, right, during class at Glen Oaks School in Hickory Hills, IL on Thursday August 23,  2012. It was recently named a Blue Ribbon School Award winner by US Dept. of Education.

Cheryl "Pinky" Szekeres waits under her umbrella for the 4th Annual Wounded Warriors motorcycle run to get underway at Pipefitters Local 597 Training Center in Mokena, IL on Sunday August 25,  2012.

Tinley Park 's #66, Daniel Korycki, #82, Corey Doss and #44, Preston Thompson block Rich East QB #7,  Malcomb Miller during their game at Rich East High School in Park Forest, IL on Saturday September 1,  2012.

Jaime Guajardo, a Road District employee, walks through Mound Cemetery along Cherry Hill Road in Joliet, IL on Thursday August 30,  2012.  The cemetery was taken over and cleaned up by Joliet Township.

Ed Peloza, center, is silhouetted against a giant flag held by Todd Botma, left, and his wife Deanna Pelozza-Botma of the Calumet Park Beach Bums as they watch the sunrise at Calumet Park Beach in Chicago, IL on Monday September 3,  2012.  The group,  started by Frankie Caporale, which meets every Sunday, was hosting a special 9/11 and Labor Day celebration.

Members of the Calumet Park Beach Bums watch the sunrise at Calumet Park Beach in Chicago, IL on Monday September 3,  2012.  The group,  started by Frankie Caporale, meets every Sunday, was hosting a special 9/11 and Labor Day celebration.