Oak Brook-based McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest fast food chain, is investing an undisclosed amount in Food.com, an Internet food takeout and delivery service that also provides news and e-commerce services. A McDonald’s spokesman said the company was not eyeing a hamburger delivery service, but would explore online opportunities for its other brands, including Donatos Pizza, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Boston Market.
* Latest news update
CBOE glitch halts trading
The Chicago Board Options Exchange called a halt in trading at 11:44 a.m., blaming a systems problem. Trading resumed at noon.
Ryan calls gas-tax break ‘not a bad idea’
A bill to repeal the Illinois sales tax on motor fuel — a move that could slice up to 9 cents a gallon off today’s prices — has received a lukewarm endorsement from Gov. George Ryan. This morning, he called the plan, which passed the state Senate overwhelmingly Wednesday, “not a bad idea.” But, he added, “there are three or four more other tax programs that are out there. … So, before I commit to one, I’ve got to see how it fits into our budget.”
* From this morning’s paper
Ryan names death penalty review team
Ryan, who declared a moratorium on the imposition of capital punishment in Illinois five weeks ago, today named a panel of what he called “the best, the brightest and the most honorable people in Illinois” to help decide what comes next.
The panel’s members include former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, novelist-lawyer Scott Turow and former U.S. Atty. Thomas Sullivan. The former chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois, Frank McGarr, will chair the committee.
Acknowledging his longstanding opposition to what he called “the barbaric practice of capital punishment,” Simon said that the group’s charge “is not to determine whether we have a death penalty or not, but to … determine, within the law, how you can make sure, if the death penalty is applied, that innocent people are not put to death.”
* Latest news update
DeShrined
The Medinah Shrine Circus opens its annual run in Chicago today, for the first time not at the historic Medinah Temple, an 88-year-old building still at the heart of a landmark fight.
Bulls, Hawks creamed
The Bulls suffered their second-worst loss of the season, 103-67 to Orlando. The Blackhawks were leveled by the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-1.
The Big Ten Men’s basketball tournament gets underway at the United Center. Northwestern plays Wisconsin at 6 p.m. The Chicago Transit Authority is providing No. 19 United Center Express bus service every 5 to 8 minutes from downtown to the UC. Full schedule in Sports.
DAYWATCH.
Coming up …
More Top Picks Best Curling Irons Under 100
The Adler Planetarium welcomes Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Astronomical Observatory speaking on “Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist,” 7 p.m. … The Oriental Institute presents “Women in Ancient Egypt.” … Athenaeum Theatre stages “Abundance,” the story of two mail-order brides in Wyoming Territory; through April 9. … The Vic Theatre hosts Sevendust, 6 p.m. … Liquid presents the swing music of Indigo, 7 p.m. … FitzGerald’s presents the Slaid Cleaves Band, 9 p.m.
———-
News tips, comments or suggestions for Daywatch? Write us: [email protected]