Morning Watch - January 14
Jan 14, 2013
Run from guns: Rahm orders all city pension funds divest in gun manufacturers, the Trib reports.
You're been warned: Fitch Ratings warns the state it will downgrade its credit rating if there isn't pension reform in the next six months, the State Journal-Register reports.
Delinquent debt: As pension debt climbs, other programs, including college scholarship, suffer, the State Journal-Register reports.
Schools suffer: The state isn't paying its bills in a timely manner, and community colleges are feeling the effects, the State Journal-Register reports.
Down and out: Ald. Sandi Jackson resigns, effective Jan. 15, NBC Chicago reports.
Time for change: The Trib's editorial board says Rahm should appoint an independent candidate, not an insider's family member to Sandi Jackson's seat.
Closing call: CPS chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett agrees with a panel that no high schools should be closed in the district, the Trib reports.
Advisory role: A panel tasked with advising which CPS schools to close should come up with suggestions of which ones don't make the cut, the Trib's editorial board writes.
Doubting delivery: While schools need to close, the Sun-Times' editorial board doubts CPS can pull off safely and efficiently closing many of them this summer.
A handle on guns: Sensible gun control laws have eluded us for too long, the Sun-Times' editorial board writes.
Toughening up: Emanuel and Preckwinkle team up for tougher requirements for reporting the theft, loss and transfer of firearms, the Sun-Times reports.
Casino casualties: The Sun-Times reports 85 children were left unattended at Illinois casinos over the last two and a half years.
Gaming growth: The Trib's editorial board asks for a new, sensible gaming expansion bill.
Expense report: CTA fares increase today, FOX Chicago reports.
Phone calls: A judge grants a three-month grace period to ge the public familiar with the electronics ban in Cook County courtrooms, the Trib reports.
Biz bits: A group of Illinois business leaders sign a letter advocating for gay marriage, ABC 7 reports.
Winnings washed: Statewide, about $2 million in winnings from the Illinois Lottery goes unclaimed each month, the State Journal-Register reports.
Pondering the program: The prison early-release program is necessary but should be done carefully and thoughtfully, the Daily Herald's editorial board writes.
Care cuts: Funding cuts to the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program mean more low-income women could face months-long waits for mammograms, the State Journal-Register reports.
Not all bad eggs: The Sun-Times' editorial board says the Abbates are the exception, not the rule, in the Chicago police force.