Morning Watch - February 25
Feb 25, 2013
Chief chat: The chairman of City Council's Black Caucus says the clock is ticking for police chief Garry McCarthy if he doesn't get a handle on the city's violence problem, the Sun-Times reports.
State strike? As contract talks stall, the threat of 30,000 state employees striking becomes more real, the State Journal-Register reports.
Story of Cicero: The Trib's editorial board says recent allegations of voter suppression in Cicero aren't doing anything to help the town's reputation.
Carry conversations: A federal court rejects Illinois' request to reconsider a ruling that the state's concealed carry ban is unconstitutional, NBC Chicago reports.
Billion with a B: Analysis by the Civic Federation puts Illinois' unpaid bills at $22 billion by 2018 if costs aren't managed soon, CBS2 reports.
Real talk: The Sun-Times' editorial board says the state's pension crisis is real and won't go away by cutting waste and inefficiency.
Pension payments: The State Journal-Register's editorial board advocates for a partial shift of teacher pension costs.
Black history blunder? Chicago Public Schools face a possible lawsuit for failing to comply with a federal mandate that requires schools study black history, FOX 32 reports.
School days: CPS plans to announce the start of district-wide, full-day kindergarten, ABC7 reports.
City seekers: UNO seeks to build two new charter schools in Bedford Park and get them annexed into Chicago's 13th Ward, the Sun-Times reports.
Charter cash? Records show UNO charter school backers support Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan with campaign contributions, the Sun-Times reports.
Bench bits: The Trib's editorial board supports recent efforts to reform the judicial selection process.
Prevention programs: The state budget crisis stymies tobacco prevention programs, the State Journal-Register reports.
Speed zone: Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions is tapped for the Chicago speed camera contract, the Trib reports.
Drone demands: State Sen. Daniel Biss introduces legislation to require law enforcement get a search warrant before using a drone to gather evidence, the Trib reports.
Rest in peace: Mary Ann McMorrow, the first female Illinois Supreme Court justice, dies at age 83, NBC Chicago reports.
Marriage matters: A GOP panel considers firing party chief Pat Brady over his support of gay marriage, Crain's reports.
Closure cries: The Trib's editorial board says people will be angry and disappointed when some CPS schools close, but they won't be able to say the district didn't listen.
Gun grumbles: The Sun-Times' editorial board says guns are a real danger and they're waiting for saner gun laws to reduce violence.
Policing progress: Chicago police look to revamp the CAPS program to involve the community, the Trib reports.
Prez problems: Controversial Chicago State University President Wayne Watson steps down, the Trib reports.