Illinois

The Blackhawks can now continue running their "Red Rising" advertisements after winning their fourth in a row this weekend, finally righting the ship after an eight-game losing streak earlier this month.

A coat check mix-up at the Cubs Convention left a Cub confused and a small child coatless and freezing. Pint-sized Cubs infielder Mike Fontenot was mistakenly given the jacket of an 8-year-old girl when he turned in his claim check to retrieve his coat Friday.

Thousands of die-hard Cubs fans look forward to mingling with current and former Cubs players, broadcasters and front office executives each January at the Cubs Convention, but this year, many fans were shocked by an unexpected appearance from former superstar Sammy Sosa. The once-beloved North Side slugger made his first appearance with the organization since fleeing the ballpark during the last game of the 2004 campaign.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley approved a 25 percent city tax the week on the purchase of any lanyard, including those used as passes by Cubs fans at the team's annual convention held this weekend.

Don't call it a comeback ... yet. The Bulls made a big statement to critics (this reporter included) about the shape of the team Wednesday night, with a 126-96 mauling of the Heat in Miami.

The Cubs came to terms Wednesday with 37-year-old pitcher Jon Lieber on a one-year, $3.5 million deal plus incentives. Lieber--who pitched for the North Siders from 1999 to 2001 and is the last Cub to win 20-games--is penciled in as the team's fifth starter heading into Spring Training.

The Blackhawks have a two-game win streak going after beating the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night 6-1. The team needs to put a good string of wins together to counter the eight-game losing streak they’re coming off of and they are on the right track.