Morning Watch - December 11
Dec 11, 2012
Another Jackson resignation? Friends of Ald. Sandi Jackson say she will likely resign from City Council, FOX Chicago reports. She has missed more than 93 percent of committee meetings so far this year.
Another Jackson in Congress? Ald. Sandi Jackson will "never say never" when it comes to running for her husband's vacated Congressional seat, DNAinfo reports.
Bench connections: The judge randomly selected to preside over the R.J. Vanecko trial has ties to Mayor Daley, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and her predecessor but says he can be fair and impartial, the Sun-Times reports. Vanecko entered a not guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the death of David Koschman.
Alvarez angle: Between the Vanecko/Koschman case and a 60 Minutes story on false confessions, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's rising star seems to be falling, the Sun-Times reports.
CTU-tube: The Chicago Teachers Union mocks the mayor and others in a satirical YouTube video, NBC 5 reports.
License law: The Sun-Times' editorial board says a Chinatown driver's license fraud ring begs for a law to legally license illegal immigrants.
Truancy task: Chief CPS head Barbara Byrd-Bennett plans a task force to tackle K-8 truancy, the Trib reports.
Land of plenty: Whet Moser of Chicago magazine discusses the high number of government entities in Illinois on CNBC.
Cliff cuts: Experts say if the economy takes a dive over the fiscal cliff, Illinois is likely to lose $1 billion in federal revenue, the State Journal-Register reports.
Tax time: The Illinois Department of Revenue sets up a tax court to settle tax liability disputes of $15,000 or more beginning in July, the State Journal-Register reports.
Pay way: The State Journal-Register's editorial board says cutting legislators' pay might make taxpayers feel better but would do little to tackle the major problems the state faces.
Service slump: Riders beg the CTA Board not to cut the popular Lincoln Avenue bus route, the Sun-Times reports.