Morning Watch - December 13
Dec 13, 2012
Firearm fight: Citing gang warfare and a spike in homicides, Chicago aldermen vow to fight the ruling that a concealed carry ban in Illinois is unconstitutional, WBEZ reports.
Appeal process: The Trib's editorial board proposes a two-track approach to dealing with concealed carry.
All in the family: FOX Chicago reports Jesse Jackson Jr.'s brother Jonathan might have his sights on the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Do-over: Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez demands Rahm break the O'Hare janitorial contract and re-bid it, the Sun-Times reports.
Too close for comfort: The Vanecko case is too touchy for Cook County and should be moved, the Trib's editorial board writes.
Judgement call: R.J. Vanecko's defense team says they're pleased with the judge assigned to the case and won't seek a another one, FOX Chicago reports.
Here's your sign: City Council approves a 20-year digital signage proposal that will bring in about $15 million per year, NBC 5 reports.
Smoke broke: A tax raid finds Cook County stores cheating taxpayers out of millions of dollars by not charging cigarette purchasers appropriate taxes, CBS 2 reports.
Bird call: One alderman wants to make it a crime to feed pigeons, the Sun-Times reports.
Cab fair: One cab driver's lawsuit against the city will decide whether cabbies are Chicago employees and eligible for minimum wage, WBEZ reports.
Prison problems: The Sun-Times reports there's plenty of guards but no prisoners at a Downstate juvenile facility.
Power surge: City Council OKs an energy proposal with Integrys Energy Services, the Trib reports.
Friendly message: Two civil rights attorneys file amicus briefs against the city's efforts to quiet the "code of silence" a jury found in CPD, the Trib reports.
Bad ban: The courthouse cell phone ban needs some tweaking in order to get it right, the Sun-Times' editorial board writes.
Stealing in the suburbs: A former boss gets seven years in prison for embezzling $850,000 from the publicly funded waste removal company in the suburbs where he worked, the Sun-Times reports.
Water works: Aldermen propose restoring free water for nonprofits, a decision that could put a big hole in the city budget, the Trib reports.
Charter barter: The Sun-Times' editorial board says CPS needs to rein in the decision to open 13 charter schools next year.
No appeal: The State Journal-Register's editorial board says Gov. Quinn shouldn't appeal the ruling that says the state must pay union employee raises.
Smoking cessation: The Daily Herald's editorial board applauds Illinois in leading the nation in helping employees quit smoking.
Saving those stops: Ald. Ameya Pawar is rallying CTA board members in a effort to save the No. 11 Lincoln Avenue bus route, the Sun-Times reports.
Neighbors: NBC 5's Edward McClellan says Michigan's right-to-work law could mean good news for Illinois if more of our neighboring state's college students head to Chicago after graduation.