Morning Watch - December 14
Dec 14, 2012
Negative news: Moody's Investor Services downgrades Illinois' credit outlook from "stable" to "negative," Crain's reports.
Change agent: Five days after Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation, Ald. Sandi Jackson altered campaign reports, the Sun-Times reports.
Out for a run: Robin Kelly, a member of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's cabinet, resigns to focus on her run for the 2nd District Congressional seat, the Sun-Times reports.
Campaigning continues: Recently elected state Sen. Napoleon Harris throws his hat into the ring for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s former seat in Congress, NBC 5 reports.
Not fan mail: Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez sends a letter to CBS News saying Sunday's 60 Minutes false confessions piece that featured her didn't tell the whole story, CBS 2 reports.
Drive time tax? Gov. Quinn is in secret talks with legislators about potential new tax increases, many of which will affect motorists, FOX Chicago reports.
Prison pushback: Some local groups are opposed to a planned immigration detention center in Joliet, WBEZ reports. The groups say the company that would operate the center has a history of mistreating inmates.
Parental control: Parents express frustration that few details have been unveiled in school closing talks, the Trib reports.
Marriage material: Some lawmakers say they have the votes necessary to OK gay marriage in January, the State Journal-Register reports.
Video vision: Gov. Quinn releases a new video supporting pension reform titled, "Kids Don't Have Lobbyists," the State Journal-Register reports.
Layoff list: Today about 350 O'Hare janitors will lose their jobs because of a contract Rahm signed with a new company that some say has mob ties, NBC 5 reports.
Time for transparency: The State Journal-Register's editorial board says more needs to be done to make the legislature transparent.
School slump: Local school district coffers feel the pinch of families who aren't paying school fees associated with sports, clubs and overdue library books, the Daily Herald reports.