Extra, Extra

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We're calling it a day to go spend some time with friends and family. Wherever you're going and whatever you're doing, be safe out there.

• Two toddlers were critically hurt and a firefighter injured in a fire on the Southwest Side.
• Police are investigating the beating death of a man found dead in his condo.
• There may be a hiccup in the federal government's plan to transfer terror suspects to Thomson Correctional Center: they may not have the money for it.
• Some positive employment news: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says his department will be hiring more than 500 correctional officers in 2010.
• The area has faced some rough winter weather over the last day or so with power outages and a big pile-up that clogged I-294 among other things, but there's good news as both airports seem to be getting flights in and out smoothly for any last second travelers.