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Two Chicago police officers were fatally struck by a commuter train Monday evening. | Nader Issa/Sun-Times

Rail agencies: We were never asked to halt, slow trains prior to deadly incident

“We were not contacted . . . we were not asked to stop trains before” the tragedy occurred, a Metra spokesman said.

By Robert Herguth and Frank Main

Trending in Chicago

City Hall

Ricketts family so angry with Emanuel over Wrigley, they considered moving team

Todd Ricketts wrote that he hated the thought of his brother, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts, "having to grovel" to Mayor Rahm Emanuel "to put money into a building we already own."

By Fran Spielman

Jeanne Ives trying to raise money for 19-year-old challenging Madigan lieutenant

In other news

Featured Story

A Chicago Green Line Train arrives at the Adams and Wabash station, in the Loop. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The Grid: Holidays in the Loop

The heart of Chicago’s downtown, the Loop, comes to mind when thinking of where people go to work, rather than live. But along with the expected hustle and bustle, residents boast of easy commutes to work, access to lush green spaces, museums, shopping and entertainment.

By Ji Suk Yi

In other news

Sue the T. rex — now with more bones! — goes back on display in new digs

By Sun-Times Staff

The world's largest recovered T. rex skeleton is making its debut (again) at the Field Museum.

Sue the T. rex — now with more bones! — goes back on display in new digs

The world's largest recovered T. rex skeleton is making its debut (again) at the Field Museum.

Ex-prosecutor glad Pedro Flores 'lived to see the day' to testify against Chapo

By Frank Main

Former Chicago prosecutor's top witness took the stand Tuesday in New York to testify against El Chapo.

Ex-prosecutor glad Pedro Flores 'lived to see the day' to testify against Chapo

Former Chicago prosecutor's top witness took the stand Tuesday in New York to testify against El Chapo.

Chicago Sports

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775192776

Five Bears named to Pro Bowl

By Patrick Finley

Tarik Cohen was joined by four teammates: outside linebacker Khalil Mack, cornerback Kyle Fuller, safety Eddie Jackson and defensive end Akiem Hicks

Five Bears named to Pro Bowl

By Patrick Finley

Tarik Cohen was joined by four teammates: outside linebacker Khalil Mack, cornerback Kyle Fuller, safety Eddie Jackson and defensive end Akiem Hicks

While Cubs prepare to launch Marquee, Hawks, Bulls & Sox return to NBCSCH

By Jeff Agrest

With the Cubs heading out on their own to start a new network, the Hawks, Bulls and Sox will return to NBC Sports Chicago next year, a source said.

While Cubs prepare to launch Marquee, Hawks, Bulls & Sox return to NBCSCH

By Jeff Agrest

Nashville Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) goes for the puck in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Cam Ward (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) ORG XMIT: CXA116

Blackhawks beat Predators 2-1 as Cam Ward shines in Corey Crawford's place

By Jason Lieser

With Corey Crawford out at least the next four games, Cam Ward starred for the Blackhawks in a 2-1 win over Nashville.

Blackhawks beat Predators 2-1 as Cam Ward shines in Corey Crawford's place

By Jason Lieser

Cubs agree to terms with infielder Daniel Descalso

By Gordon Wittenmyer

The Cubs on Tuesday agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free-agent infielder Daniel Descalso.

Cubs agree to terms with infielder Daniel Descalso

By Gordon Wittenmyer

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy celebrates after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Chicago. The Bears won 24-17. (AP Photo/David Banks) ORG XMIT: CXB1

First-and-10: Matt Nagy's steady hand has Bears primed for strong finish

By Mark Potash

In fact, the Bears are two games from becoming the first team in franchise history to not lose by more than seven points since the 1963 NFL Champions.

First-and-10: Matt Nagy's steady hand has Bears primed for strong finish

By Mark Potash

Crime

Police investigate a person shot Tuesday morning in the 7300 block of South Champlain. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Boy, 16, shot to death in Matteson

By Sun-Times Wire

A 16-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Monday night in south suburban Matteson.

Boy, 16, shot to death in Matteson

By Sun-Times Wire

A 16-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Monday night in south suburban Matteson.

Sun-Times stock photo. Chicago police department, crime scene, shots fired, bullets, marker, gun

Man shot to death in Washington Heights: police

By Luke Wilusz

A person was killed in a shooting Tuesday afternoon in the Washington Heights neighborhood on the South Side.

Man shot to death in Washington Heights: police

By Luke Wilusz

Carpentersville man found guilty of sexually assaulting child

By Sun-Times Wire

Judge Donald M. Tegeler found 30-year-old Michael Martinez guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, officials said.

Carpentersville man found guilty of sexually assaulting child

By Sun-Times Wire

Man wounded in Gresham shooting

By Luke Wilusz

The 36-year-old was standing on a porch at 12:25 p.m. in the 7900 block of South Union when an SUV drove up and someone inside fired shots at him.

Man wounded in Gresham shooting

By Luke Wilusz

Police tape at an armored car robbery. | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Man shot to death in West Pullman home

By Sun-Times Wire

Donald Thompson, 25, was shot inside a home in the 12800 block of South Sangamon.

Man shot to death in West Pullman home

By Sun-Times Wire

Politics

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2015 file photo, Illinois lawmakers listen to Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, left, in Springfield Ill. A temporary budget to keep Illinois government operating in a new fiscal year has failed in the House, but one is still alive because the Senate approved an identical measure. Democrats battling with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner put up a $2.3 billion, one-month spending plan, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 for the state to limp along during the impasse. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) ORG XMIT: ILMG101

Watchdog to oversee complaints involving lawmakers — after four year gap

By Tina Sfondeles

The Legislative Ethics Commission recommended Carol Pope take on the role of investigating complaints involving lawmakers.

Watchdog to oversee complaints involving lawmakers — after four year gap

By Tina Sfondeles

The Legislative Ethics Commission recommended Carol Pope take on the role of investigating complaints involving lawmakers.

Jeanne Ives trying to raise money for 19-year-old challenging Madigan lieutenant

By Fran Spielman

Ives is helping David Krupa in his battle against Ald. Marty Quinn, a top lieutenant in the political army of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Ives said she’s going to bat for David Krupa in his battle against incumbent Ald. Marty Quinn, a top lieutenant in the political army of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) because she cares deeply about the “rule of law.”

Jeanne Ives trying to raise money for 19-year-old challenging Madigan lieutenant

By Fran Spielman

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2018 file photo, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks during a student town hall at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. President Donald Trump’s school safety commission is proposing a rollback of Obama-era guidance that was meant to curb racial disparities in school discipline. The commission was led by DeVos and made dozens of policy recommendations in a report released Tuesday. Trump created the panel in March following the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump's safety panel seeks to revoke school race and discipline rules

By Collin Binkley | AP

The panel's report makes relatively few recommendations on gun regulation, an area that many had expected the panel to tackle.

Trump's safety panel seeks to revoke school race and discipline rules

By Collin Binkley | AP

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at the Chicago Teachers Union Headquarters at the Chicago Teachers Union Headquarters at a news conference on December 9, 2018 where the tentative deal reached with Acero charter schools to end the strike was discussed. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Preckwinkle donates $12,800 in direct contributions from Burke to non-profits

By Fran Spielman

Preckwinkle noted that, if elected mayor, she has vowed to dump Burke as chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee.

Preckwinkle noted that, if elected mayor, she has vowed to dump Burke as chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee and transfer control over the city's $100 million-a-year worker's compensation program from the Finance Committee to the Department of Human Resources.

Preckwinkle donates $12,800 in direct contributions from Burke to non-profits

By Fran Spielman

The Capitol is seen at twilight in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. The fight over President Donald Trump's $5 billion wall funds deepened Monday, threatening a partial government shutdown in a standoff that has become increasingly common in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

White House pulls back from shutdown threat over wall funds

By Associated Press

President Donald Trump has been demanding $5 billion to fund his long-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall, but Democrats have balked.

White House pulls back from shutdown threat over wall funds

By Associated Press

Obituaries

7-1-2005 Copy photo from the first performance of "The Compass" a University of Chicago based troupe that is said to have invented improv as we know it. This photo is from The Compass' very first performance, July 5, 1955. In it, from left to right, Andy Duncan plays a tailor, Barbara Harris a model and David Shepherd plays Yves St. Laurent checking out his new line of women's apparel. This is the first production of "The Living News," in which the actors take an article out of a newspaper or magazine and then run with it. In this case, the actors are spoofing a July 5, 1955 Chicago newspaper article.

Producer David Shepherd, a crucial figure in Chicago improv history, dies at 94

By Darel Jevens

His work led to the creation of The Second City and Chicago's iO Theatre.

Producer David Shepherd, a crucial figure in Chicago improv history, dies at 94

By Darel Jevens

His work led to the creation of The Second City and Chicago's iO Theatre.

Hockey lover Tom Moro, owner of Johnny's IceHouse, dies at 49

By Mitchell Armentrout and Stefano Esposito

Moro was already a regular in goalie pads at Johnny's, so he bought it and helped turn it into a major hub for young players across the Chicago area.

Moro was already a regular on the ice at Johnny's — the center of Chicago's hockey scene — so he bought it, then helped turn it into a major hub for young players across the Chicago area. He more than tripled business at Johnny's, which now has more than 300 families in its Jets youth hockey club.