a manhunt continues for two cop killers this afternoon. an off- duty chicago police officer was shot to death while working security at a west side convenience store. >> judy wang is live at the scene with more on our top story. >> evidence technicians were here all night before wrapping up their work here at the store about 830 this morning. the store's owners say the store does have security cameras but we have not heard from chicago police whether those cameras were able to capture images of the robbers. lewis was hired

following the store robbery three weeks ago. >> it's the second time this happened this month so as never really happened like that over here. >> one guy with no back up, what is he going to do? a lot of people go in there and they don't know what's going to happen. >> the robbery and fatal shooting happened at quick foods on the 1200 block of north austin boulevard. police said two men went into the store and during the robbery they shot him several times and took off his gun and police badge. witnesses say it happened so fast the shooter said very little and the officer really did not have time to react. the 41 year-old who was assigned to the tactical unit was pronounced dead at stroger hospital. about 40 police vehicles escorted

ambulance from the hospital to the cook county medical examiner's office. police commissioner gary mccarthy participated. >> we are so upset. things never happened like this before. like three weeks ago they had some robberies and something went on and that is why they hired somebody during christmas time. >> police superintendent garry mccarthy said that a statement saying on behalf of the police department extend their condolences. once again no suspects in custody. >> his colleagues and neighbors say he was a well respected man and kept to himself. jake miller is live in austin with more on

how he is being remembered. >> he was well-liked and well regarded. that is what they say here. a few minutes ago they lowered a purple flag which they call a morning flag in honor of clifton lewis. residents and neighbors that we spoke to earlier say he was a great guy and they share the same sentiments as his fellow officers here. >> he didn't bother anybody. he just kept to himself. he had two dogs you would see him walking his dog that night. >> neighbors of the 41 year-old officer said he made a living in the west side neighborhood safer when he moved in about one year ago. he helped to reduce violence there almost immediately. the eight year veteran of the force was unable to avoid a violent encounter during a robbery last night where he worked as a security

guard. the off-duty officer was pronounced dead at stroger hospital were 200 fellow officers gathered last night as word of his passing spread. this morning near his home squad cars remained parked. neighbors say he was engaged and kept to himself but his mere presence in the neighborhood rock comfort to many of his neighbors. >> he was a good neighbor on the block. everybody knows him. he is respected. i'm just sorry to hear that something bad happened to him. >> again officers here remembering officer clifton lewis. they just put up a purple flag which they call a morning flag and honor of louis. they're planning on putting up purple bunting here shortly. >> we have a breaking story just

in. charges have been filed in the church's chicken shooting. this happened tuesday night in the englewood neighborhood. two teenagers were killed and five others were hurt, several wounded in that shooting. the suspect is 23 year-old arthur cheney. he's charged with two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of armed robbery. he will be in court on saturday. we will continue to follow this story. >> three men arrested for their alleged roles in a carjacking in the murder in what he can. 44 year-old carlos hernandez was shot yesterday morning as he tried to stop men from stealing his nephews cadillac. police say the car was abandoned at julien and county streets and hernandez was found dead about 100 yds away. they launched a manhunt and found the men in the lakeside towers apartment complex. to have criminal

records but none of them are facing charges in the case. >> a former lockport man who killed a 10 year-old girl in a drunk driving crash 12 years ago is now facing more drunk driving charges in the hit and run crash on christmas day. will county shares police a 33 year-old glen higginbotham jr. had a vehicle on new lenox road near joliet. he's charged with the hit and run, aggravated driving under the influence and driving at or revoked license. he spent time in prison after killing a child in 1999. >> or city officials tell residents the drinking water is safe following a fuel spill in the area. a pump broke wednesday spilling about 1,500 gal. of diesel fuel into a storm sewer that feeds into the fox river. the fox river provides about 60

percent divorce drinking water. most of the fuel has been cleaned up and city officials decided not to test the water because they don't think it will get close to an intake structure at the city's water treatment facility. >> more than 200 new laws will take effect sunday. back seat passengers in cars will now be required to wear seat belts. it will cost more to drive on the illinois tollway. i-pass users will pay 75¢ instead of 40¢ and cash customers will continue to pay double. also, a motorcyclist stock at a long red light at an empty intersection may drive through if the light fails to change after reasonable length of time. but the new law does not define what is reasonable. you can find a full list of the new law as it wgntv.com. >> next another setback for the michele bachman campaign. >> and it's been a busy year in

politics and it could set the stage for an interesting 2012. we're looking back at the year's biggest political stories.

the republican candidates for president in making a final push for support heading into tuesday's iowa caucuses. former massachusetts gov. mitt romney is still leading in the latest polls but congressman ron paul of texas is a close second. rick santorum has shot up from the bottom of the pack to third place. newt gingrich has been plunging. another staffer has built from michele bachman presidential campaign. she confirms political director just

quit. the move is the latest setback in recent days for bachman is eye what organization. white wednesday her former state chairman kent sorenson showed up on stage at an event for rival ron paul declaring he switched camps days before the caucus. she has slipped to the bottom of the polls since winning the iowa straw poll earlier this year. >> who will have live coverage from the iowa caucuses next week starting sunday through wednesday. >> this year had its memorable stories. >> wgn political analyst and host of cltv politics tonight paul lisnek is here with a year in review. >> starting at no. 10, appointed to the sex scandals of the year as being really critical. people

like anthony weiner. and herman cain of course turned around a presidential campaign. >>#9 is the arab spring which gave momentum to our own occupy movement here. gabbro deferreds shooting#8 gabrielle giffords shooting. number seven is the fight over the unions in ohio. so far they didn't lead to much change so is on their no. 7 but it would have been higher had things turned around. >> #6 #6: the debt ceiling and agrees that.

no. 5 is the t party. voters seem to be frustrated with it. number four is the repeal of don't ask don't tell. obviously changes the entire shape of our military because now they can serve openly. no. 3 the occupy protests and wall street and the job crisis. no. 2 is the killing of osama bin lavin but it didn't get number one because the president didn't get that much of a bump out of it. it was the end of the guy who started it all about. >>#one as the iraq war for me. it is the end of a war many people thought should have beennever have been fought. it was president obama finishing up what bush had started. i think it was a major

moment. >> we have 13 million people out of work right now and you even mentioned briefly wise and that number one? >> because it is an ongoing story. there's certain things that might happen this year that would have pushed it up but the occupy movement seems to be quieting. there in iowa and in different places but what i'm talking about is the way it was earlier in the year. the impact doesn't seem to be as intense. >> i do say obama didn't get the ball he would have expected from that. >> the military could have said we found out, and we knowof sullivan lot and then we know where he is. been lockedbin laden but the president

made the call and so he gets the credit because it was on his watch. >> before we run out of time we have to talk about iowa. what happened to michele bachman campaign? >> she was never really seen as somebody who was going to take this thing in the law firm of your side will say this, i feel a little vindicated because since this all started i said rick santorum needs to be doing better in this. he represents the untarnished conservative viewpoints that many people would agree with. if ron paul ends up at the top you'll never get the nomination so it would almost be a waste of a caucus i think we want to keep an eye on that met ronnie and rick santorum. >> these candidates seem to take turns playing the candidate of the month. >> they're all flawed and they

all had issues, every candidate is slots but the flaws of these candidates really get in the realm of the republicans will mantra of life. this is the family values party. for herman cain and newt gingrich and their affairs these are not family friendly values. i never believed that republicans can actually stand behind them going forward. >> asthma sufferers will soon be without a popular medication. we'll bring you that i had. >> and they're calling it a convenience charge-the $2 that wireless customers will soon be charged to pay their own bill. >> and morton's steak houses here with a great party appetizer and some advice on picking champagne for new year's eve.

i got the calling to to join the service and support

the boys over there. i never thought that i would have ptsd. i thought that i had enough coping skills. i don't think anybody who goes into combat could ever honestly say that they're not different when they come home. my life's changed. what you take as a simple thing, is not so simple for me anymore. it's like a pressure cooker and you know you want somebody desperately to to trip that valve. you know, you want to like, you know, lose all of that anger d angst. i would say to those people that are out there get educated. don't brush us aside and don't count us out. hear more of their stories at usoinvisiblewounds dot org. the wounds are invisible. the stories are real.

stock markets are closed for the day. chaffing where the markets ended. we have at the the dow up 5%. it's right around 12,000 to 50 and the s&p and the nasdaq are slightly in the red for this year. that is disappointing. it has really been a really tough week. stocks are down 30%. 120 sears and kmart stores across the nation will be closed. illinois is spirit for now but they still have to find another 40 stores with thatafter coming out with

a list of about 80 stores. ford topped 2 million vehicles for the first time since 2007. there the first car maker to hit that mark. the company attributes it to the demand for more fuel- efficient cars. oil is back under $100 a barrel. there is still speculation that escalating tensions in the middle east could hurt oil supplies. there is a potential despite $120. at the last thing consumers need. gold is seeing a rebound today. there is lots of debate about whether a potential problem with gold could happen. right now gold

prices have spurred demand from consumers and investors. that's it for your business report today. have a great new year's. >> verizon customers will soon have to pay for paying their bills. the nation's largest wireless company has added a $2 convenience charge for customers to make one time bill payments either online or by phone. the fee goes into effect on january 15th but there are a few ways to avoid the charge. you can make a onetime payments by electronic check, by paying your bill at verizon store or sending a check in the mail. it could also set up autopay or use verizon if your rebate cards to avoid paying the fee. apple may introduce new ipads next month. digitimes says the company will unveil two new versions by the end of january. it's as the ipads will have 9.7

in. screens duel l e d light bars and a camera which as we know is very popular. next however marines' military training helped him survive the craigslist transaction term robbery. >> and later what to eat to stay mentally healthy. >> their blend of music genres is uniquely their own. live music this midday from chicago's own lucky boys confusion. they're performing new year's eve at the cubby bear in chicago.

investigators say fire safety violations may be to blame for a fire on it back to russian nuclear submarine. it happened in northwest russia and repair dock on the barents sea. the nuclear reactors were already shut down when the fire broke out in the flames never spread to inside the vessel. >> u.s. marine is sharing his story about being shot several times as he tried to sell something to a man he met on craigslist. he was showing a man his fiancee's necklace when the man handed him a necklace the man ran off without paying him. when that the marine it chased

after him, the man shot him several times. >> he has served in the marines for 29 years. he is expected to be released from the hospital as early as today. two men were arrested for the shooting and are being held in jail on bond. >> an underwater option may have created a new island in the red sea. nasa captured the image last week. it is forming among the islands between yemen and eritrea. experts say parts of the red sea have seen a lot of volcanic activity lately with as many as 10 eruptions in the past five years. >> tom skilling is next with a mild new year's eve forecast. stick around.

we will be welcoming and one of the warmest new year's and along time. we have never put to new year's eve together with 50 degree plus temperatures. the bottom drops out and we're going to do that with a lot of wind. there could be some gusts of 50 m.p.h. and a transition to the coldest air mass this season. it's progressive those so it will come in for a couple of days and then we will warm up and could be in the '40's again later next week. this is kind of an impressive little system. it's an alberta clippers' that has come across the area. the

visibility is one half a mile at bartlett. it started out here in the west and has been pressing eastward. it's created a mass of in wisconsin. there been traffic accidents on the icy roads. these are high wind advisories. they're already in effect out west as the system comes in in their winter storm warnings in the mountains with big wins south of us today. you can kind of see how it's happening and why it is raining here because these powerful winds cause air to pile up and start to rise. you get rain clouds forming. the

big picture here ... this band of clouds across the pacific parallels a 200 mi. per hour just to dreamjet stream that brings masses of mild air with each one. each little buckle in this jet stream that comes in off the pacific makes a rain system so here is the one today but look what happens over the weekend. we say this is an amplified pattern because the jets buckle and pull the arctic air down. this is the forecast by sunday night and monday and that is why we are going to get some cold air around here. these temperatures by late december standards are extraordinary. in alaska and the northwest territories are more like it. on the weekend if we jump ahead here to sunday, this is in the morning and we start

in the 30's and in the temperatures fall during the day so that by late today we will be in the '20s and here sunday night. single digits running in on strong winds. look at what will happen to the wind chills. sunday is not bad in the 15 degree range by the lower a bit amid pounding wins. ds. there is the edge of the cold air. it stays away but here is the stuff of warm air that comes in tomorrow and pushes us up to 50 degrees. it will be 18 degrees above normal, more like an october day than a late december day. we're 1 degrees cooler than 24 hours ago but these numbers are small which means temperatures haven't changed much. the bigger temperature drops are with a cold air is starting to come south but that is a couple days a way for us.

the dewpoint come up to 43 and here is a good look ... a lot of you have plans this afternoon i am sure to get outside. this is how the rains are rotating around as low pressure system coming in. the heaviest rains are in this area to the south of us. we have lighter showers and our area. none of these will change to snow so that is good news. the snow will stay aboard the bus and wisconsin were there may actually be a little accumulation in the upper peninsula of michigan. we have to turn on the lake a fact snow machines on sunday and monday and tuesday and then later next week and other cold air mass comes in and does the same so this may be the winter where we

depend on like the fact snowless. tomorrow no snow, mild and partly sunny and windy all weekend with the windiest day sunday. this is the 19th day above 40 degrees in december. tomorrow it will be 20. they're the only been 11 decembers that have had that many 40 degree days and 141 years of weather records. its next ordinary amount. it's in the warmest percentage of decembers on the books. the 19th day of 40 today. a period of rain. there could be a few mixed wet snowflakes this evening. high-temperature today is 43 degrees. tonight,

cloudy and rainy. we will cool off tonight down to about 30 so standing water or moist spots could get a little dicey on the sidewalk because they haven't been treated so be careful driving in the morning. southerly wind gusts will push just 18 degrees above normal tomorrow. the other shoe drops on sunday, mostly cloudy and windy but much cooler. 36-29 will be the range and temperature. the real cold comes in on sunday night and monday because we only get up to 26 degrees on monday but hey 26 for the first couple days of january ... >> we will take it. >> that is still not bad. even with these arctic spells mixed than we are still above normal.

>> happy new year. thank you tom. here is today's trivia question: the salton sea was formed in 1905 by flood waters from this river. is it a

time for sports. after the bowls slow start in the loss to the warriors' derrick rose vowed to be more aggressive against the kings. tom thibodeau led the bulls with 19 despite foul trouble. carlos boozer puts up and makes a nice move to extend the lead. bulls win 108-98.

the bears finished the season in minnesota on sunday. lance briggs is going to the pro bowl for the seventh time so he was asked again about the contract extension he wanted but never got. >> yeah if you put that under the rug and play. it seemed to enhance my play this year and do i hope the bears get the message? i'm going to leave that as no comment. >> patrick kane moves back to center when the hawks face the red wings at the you see tonight. he started the season at center but he is only scored two goals since moving back to right wing. now we will center the second line with patrick sharp and viktor stalberg. daniel carcillo will return tonight after missing six games with a concussion. your illinois

lottery drawing is next. your winning pick three: 6 0 6

your winning pick four: 9 1 2 8 i habe a cohd. yeah, i toog nyguil

bud i'm stild stubbed up. i h [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't un-stuff your nose. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus liquid gels fights your worst cold symptoms, plus it relieves your stuffy nose. [ deep breath ] thank you! that's the cold truth! you don't have to deliver 15 tons of food to the hungry -- you can start with 10 ounces. you don't have to dedicate your life to saving lives --

just dedicate 15 minutes. you don't need to provide guidance to 5,000 young men and women -- just one will do. you don't have to build a school in an impoverished area to change a child's life -- just spend an hour a week reading at one. the men and women of america's navy do some amazing things to make the world a better place. but, then again, so can millions of everyday americans right in their own backyards. [ laughing ] brought to you by america's navy.

a healthy diet could affect your risk of getting alzheimer's disease according to a new study in the journal neurology. the study showed elderly people who had diets rich in all make a three fatty acids and a variety of vitamins had bigger brains and better cognitive function than those who had poor diets. 104 elderly people with the average age of 87 were evaluated. the study suggests eating fish, fruits and vegetables. >> staff and the tide to a lower risk >> statins are tied to a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer and a new study that examined middle-aged men in new jersey. getting cholesterol levels _ trollunder control could reduce the

risk of a life-threatening diseases. primatine mist, the only over- the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the u.s., will soon disappear from drugstores in an effort to protect the environment. the fda as prohibiting the sale of primatine in heller'sinhalers. doctors say it is not bad news since it is not a long-term way to effectively treat asthma but many are concerned that asthma patients with little or no money for copays will end up without access to any form of treatment. the amount a lot of people are going to be toasting in the new year tomorrow. >> your lunch break is next. morton's is here with some last- minute tips on buying champagne.

hi, anne. how are you doing? hi, evelyn. i know it's been a difficult time since your mom passed away. yeah. i miss her a lot but i'm okay. wow. that was fast. this is the check i've been waiting for. mom had a guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy through the colonial penn program, and this will really help with the cost of her final expenses. they have been so helpful and supportive during this time. maybe i should give them a call. i really could use some more life insurance. is it affordable? it costs less t that's pretty affordable, huh? less than 35 cents a day? that's less than the cost of a postage stamp. so, you said it was guaranteed acceptance? yes. it's permanent coverage with guaranteed acceptance for people ages 50 to 85.

there's no medical exam or health questions. you can't be turned down because of your health. it fit right into mom's budget and gave her added peace of mind. you should give them a call or look them up online at cpdirect.com. i definitely could use more coverage. i think i will give them a call. man: are you between the ages of 50 and 85? or know someone who is? do you think that quality insurance at an affordable rate is out of your reach? for less than 35 cents a day, you can get guaranteed acceptance life insurance through the colonial penn program. you cannot be turned down because of your health. there are no health questions or medical exam. your rate will never go up and your benefit will never go down due to age-- guaranteed! these days the average cost of a funeral is over $7300, and social security pays a death benefit of just $255. don't leave a burden for your loved ones. since 1994 over 6 million people have called about this quality insurance. there's no risk or obligation. call about the colonial penn program now.

you'll be glad you did. patrick hoyle general manager and sommelier at morton's steak house in rosemont is here. you guys always have a fabulous new year's eve celebration. this year is no different? >> bring on the champagne. >> what are you guys serving up? >> we will have our normal menu, but we also have sliders. our

crab cake cltv's are there. blts are there. you're going to put together a salmon pizza. >> what is in it? >> sour cream bill, capers, onion and salmon. >> put sour cream on it. spread it nice and thin. >> what else? >> put capers and the drizzle those around. >> it's to your taste right? >> yes. you're finished product is fabulous but this is an easy to do at home. >> if you're doing at home and make sure you cut the salmon very thin. if you cut it to fix

the texture will be wrong and the flavor will be off because there will be too much. >> everything has to be evenly distributed for me. >> let's talk champagne because new year's eve is all about champagne. >> i brought a wide variety. you have great varieties available. we have a french champagne ... >> these are going up in price? >> yeah spirit >> as a sommelier how much better are you getting really? are you really for the money getting $200 worth of champagne? >> you don't need to spend $200

note. this one is $95. it's more reasonable. you also have champagnes that come out of italy and chorales are really nice. there's not going to beat a huge taste difference. soem guys will make more of a sugar and some will make more of a brut style. i would imagine most consumers will be able to tell the difference. i like something that is in the middle between sweetie and dry. these to me are

incredible. they're a great match with stake. steak. one of the nicest things about champagne is that it clears the palette. it's a great match for food and people don't need to have a special occasion for appeared you can drink and our regular occasion. >> of course. i can drink much of it because i'm a light weight. >> that is very refreshing. they're open new year's eve. they have six locations in chicago. patrick happens to be at the rosemont location. you guys are sold out already tell right?though right?

for more information on today's salmon pizza recipe or to watch the segment again want to wgntv.com/midday. thanks so much for joining us. happy new year's!

when some people struggle with their mortgage payments, they become frozen, petrified. not knowing what to do they do nothing but the people who do something the people who take action, are far more likely to get the most positive outcome. making home affordable is a free government program. call now to talk one on one with

a housing expert about the options that are right for you. real help, real answers right now. here is the answer to today's trivia question. the salton sea was formed in 1905 by flood waters from this river. camaraderie ever, rio grande or pecos river? the answer is the colorado river! >> it was an inland ocean at one point out in the west. it's dry now. we will get waves of grain into the first part of tonight year and its mild. temperatures are in the '40's so we are safely out of the freeze and ice range. look at the rain fall numbers. here are some other

ones. about one-third of an inch to half an inch of rain. temperatures are in the '40's. 46 and sherry bell and 39 at mchenry. according to our model that's 4:00 this afternoon we're still in the rain. that evening rush hour. still in the rain late in the rush hour. maybe a flake or two of smelly tonight but not a huge chance of that. snow tonight but not a huge chance of that. it has been a slow year for small. snow. one system

passes by any other take the northerly route. there is a cold front that hits tomorrow night. i just wanted to show you this picture. in this picture the yellows, the tanks and the reds are winds. look at that normally flow growingblowing from the pacific. that is really going to get windy. when the south of us now but here come the wins tomorrow. it's not real strong yet but they pick up to 30 mi. an hour in the afternoon and look at the costs on sunday. gusts on sunday. here is your seventh day forecast. everything

keeps moving this winter on like the blast couple wonders where we stayed cold for long periods. >> happy new year is everybody. enjoy the weekend and thanks for being with us. that is the wgn budget. we have one balloon. be sure to see the lucky boys confusion airplane at the cubby bear on saturday. [music] [music]