The Bears shook up their roster today, releasing defensive tackle Tommie Harris, linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer. General Manager Jerry Angelo promised roster moves last week, and he delivered. more ›

The Bears' defense was dealt a blow when the team was forced to place linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer on injured reserve, ending his season on Tuesday. A blow to his head caused a concussion during the third preseason game. While symptoms associated with the concussion were why he didn't travel to Cleveland for the final preseason game, he had been cleared to play in Sunday's opener. Hillenmeyer then left Sunday's game against the Lions with what was described at the time as symptoms of illness. Determined to be lingering effects of the brain blow, the team decided to put him on ice for the rest of the year. more ›

• Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald is reportedly stepping down due to a battle with Parkinson's.
• No surprise here: Blago's attorney is looking to have the lone conviction against the ex-gov overturned.
• The Chicago Police Union has responded to Supt. Jody Weis' letter from yesterday with a letter of their own calling on him to resign.

Last night's game was, in a way, a microcosm of the Bears' 2009 season: excellent potential ultimately squandered. The difference, though, was that the Bears managed to win, stunning the favored Vikings 36-30 in overtime, and left Bears fans thinking what could have been while it left Vikings fan wondering what they've gotten themselves in to with another Favre December swoon. The Bears used three Robbie Gould field goals and a Jay Cutler touchdown pass to Greg Olsen to build a 16-0 lead which would be extended to 23-6 late in the third quarter as they used a big pass interference call to set up another Cutler TD pass to Desmond Clark. And it was then the Bears found themselves on the brink of a great collapse as the Vikings rallied for 17 straight points to tie the game at 23-23 and the Bears found themselves without cornerback Charles Tillman (ribs) and wide receiver Johnny Knox (ankle) who were both knocked out of the game. But the Bears found a way to fight back, thanks in large part to Danieal Manning's 59-yard kickoff return that set up another Cutler TD pass to give the Bears a 30-23 lead. And yet, once more, Brett Favre found a way to keep his team in the game, taking the Vikings down the field and throwing a stunning fourth down touchdown pass to Sidney Rice with just seconds left in the game. more ›

Now that star linebacker Brian Urlacher is out for the season, the Bears are moving quick to fill that hole. While Hunter Hillenmeyer will be the team's middle linebacker for now, yesterday the Bears signed linebacker Tim Shaw, who played in a few games for Jacksonville last year and for Carolina before that. As for the negotiations with veteran Derrick Brooks, those have been put on hold in favor of the younger Shaw. The status of another injured Bears linebacker, Pisa Tinoisamoa, is still uncertain. more ›