Also happening today, the group Mothers Against Senseless Killings had quite the puzzle on its hands for about 24 hours this week: who had taken the group’s large steel container with Christmas decorations and toys?; a woman is sentenced to four years in prison for running her vehicle into four children about to board a school bus in North Central Indiana last year. Three of the children were killed; two men and a teenage boy are facing charges in connection with a break-in at an auto auction site in south suburban Matteson; Governor Prizker signed a major bill Wednesday to consolidate downstate police and fire pensions; and much more.

In other top stories this evening: Two men get decades in prison for killing child in gang dispute; DCFS sued over alleged abuse of children at psychiatric hospital; and more.

Also happening today, there are now 12 reported cases of whooping cough in the western suburbs; students in Elgin-area school district U46 may be starting school two days earlier in the next school year; a nursing home resident who walked away from his group at Brookfield Zoo last weekend has been found safe and sound; the Porter County board of commissioners are taking action to try and protect the Lake Michigan shoreline; and much more.

Also happening today, police are looking for the person who threw a little white dog out of a moving car on the South Side; a Chicago rock band is asking for help locating stolen gear; students in Elgin-area school district U46 may be starting school two days earlier in the next school year; the mayor of west suburban Aurora is explaining his city’s decision to renew efforts to evict 19 convicted child sex offenders from the Wayside Cross halfway house; and much more.

In other top stories this evening: Two ComEd shocked, burned in accident in Loop; North Central College readies for national football contest; possible break in 16-year-old girl's shooting death; and more.

Also happening today, a west suburban teenager supposedly told law enforcement bomb-making materials found in his bedroom last month were going to be blown up on rural land; police are searching for the person who stole a squad car in Matteson and led authorities on a police chase; a Round Lake Beach man is going to prison for six years after pleading guilty to his 26th charge of driving while his license was revoked; and much more.

In other top stories tonight: Women accused of cutting baby from womb make court appearance; Mayor Lightfoot suggests plan to involve minorities in legal pot-growing ventures; and more.

Also happening today, we are expecting a sighting this morning at the Leighton Criminal Courts building of former Empire star Jussie Smollett; you'll find security camera images on our website of a man who Chicago police want to talk to about a bizarre situation on the CTA Brown Line; Mayor Lightfoot is set to announce this morning Chicago's jump start on opening public libraries on Sundays; and much more.

Also happening today: A man groped and held a 16-year-old girl against her will on the CTA Brown Line train; a woman sleeping in an Englewood home was injured when someone fire gunshots outside; Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has fired a longtime city spokesman; these stories and more from WBBM.

Also happening today: A former longtime Mayor of Gary has died; family and friends said their final goodbyes yesterday to a South Side Rapper who died at Midway airport; authorities say a man who followed a stolen car in Downers Grove encountered a similar fate when his car was carjacked by the people he was following; these stories and more from WBBM.