Morning Watch - December 17
Dec 17, 2012
Two-case question: No one can explain why Chicago police opened a second non-criminal investigation into the Koschman death, the Sun-Times reports.
Judgment call: The judge assigned to the Koschman case steps aside because of concerns he has ties to Mayor Daley, the Sun-Times reports.
Open election: Democratic leaders on the South Side and south suburbs fail to find common ground and don't endorse a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, WBEZ reports.
Crime collection: Chicago's overall crime rate is down but murders are up over 2011, ABC 7 reports.
Tightening time? Rahm pushes for tougher gun laws in the wake of the Newtown school shooting, NBC Chicago reports.
Stepping up security: Schools around the Chicago area increase security in the wake of Friday's shooting, WBBM Newsradio reports.
Chief canned: The Justice police chief is fired for allegedly failing to discipline an officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a police vehicle, WBEZ reports.
Behind bars: WBEZ takes a look inside the Downstate Vienna Correctional Center.
Re-route: Twelve bus routes got the ax today as the CTA reshuffles schedules to reduce crowding, WBEZ reports.
Political probe: Rep. Aaron Schock is being probed by the House Ethics Committee relating to a $25,000 contribution he solicited from a super PAC, Politico reports.
Important impact: The State Journal-Register cheers the life of BGA board member Mary Lee Leahy and her work to end political hiring.
Pigeon problems: The pigeon population and feeding them is getting out of hand, but a six month jail sentence for throwing them some food is extreme, the Sun-Times' editorial board writes.
Lawfully wedded: The Sun-Times' editorial board says there's no good reason to wait any longer and that the time to legalize gay marriage is now.
School survey: CPS launches an online survey to help develop a single calendar for the district next year, the Sun-Times reports.
Garden variety: Some unspent NATO money will go to creating 100 school gardens and teaching kids how to grow vegetables and use them in cooking, CBS 2 reports.
Build on bikes: The Sun-Times' editorial board hopes the new protected bike lanes are a hit and more are built.
Let them eat cake: The Trib's editorial board says Rahm is playing nanny by restricting what goes into vending machines in public buildings.
Housing help: A fast track to dealing with foreclosed and abandoned homes will help communities, the Trib's editorial board writes.