The must-read news stories for Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013
Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli in 2012 | Sun-Times Media File
Feuding leads to step-down on CTA board
We’re still 15 months away from the gubernatorial election but the heated race is already having its effect on the state. After he found himself at the center of an argument between Gov. Pat Quinn and candidate Bill Daley over cronyism, Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli stepped down from his appointed position on the CTA board. Said Zuccarelli, to his credit, in a letter, “Given the events of recent weeks, I do not want political grandstanding to distract from the critical issues or stand in the way of what people in the south suburbs need.” Not that he’ll be hurting; while he’ll miss out on $25,000 a year for the appointment, he’ll still pull in over $186,000 for his job with the township. The resignation leaves Quinn vulnerable to more criticism, the sort of attack, of course, Daley is quick to make even as he sidesteps similar accusations of cronyism under the mayoral reigns of both his brother and father. Because it’s Illinois politics. [Sun-Times]
Two dead, one hurt in attempted murder-suicide
A 28-year-old woman and her 5-year-old daughter are dead and the woman’s husband injured after the man allegedly killed them both in what was an apparent attempted murder-suicide in Little Village last night. [Sun-Times]
Grounded
The Justice Dept. is looking into the American Airlines-U.S. Airways merger. [Crain’s]
Smuggle trouble
A Cook County Sheriff’s correctional officer is in hot water after being caught allegedly smuggling a 9mm bullet and a dozen pills into the jail over the weekend. [Sun-Times]
Community Service
With sentencing for the Jacksons approaching tomorrow, Sandi Jackson is aiming for probation rather than prison and to serve community service at a D.C. food pantry. [CBS 2]
RIP
Former Sun-Times investor Kevin Flynn died over the weekend in a bicycle accident. [Sun-Times]
Tragic fall
More on the Atlanta Braves fan who died after falling 65 feet at Turner Field last night. [AJC.com]
Still tough on (some) crime
While Mayor Emanuel is supportive of the new proposal to reduce minimum mandatory sentences for some crimes, he still favors maximum sentences for gun crimes. [Sun-Times]
Another ObamaCare set back
A cap on out-of-pocket spending for some insurers has been pushed back to 2015, the latest setback in the attempt to get ObamaCare rolled out. [N.Y. Times]
Stop-and-frisk
The decision to roll back the NYPD’s practice of “stop-and-frisk” has drawn a lot of attention to Chicago’s own violence problems with New Yorkers — from former Gov. George Patacki to active NYPD officers — claiming NYC will now become Chicago. Not surprisingly, CPD cops have a harsh defense of their city and their policies. [Sun-Times, DNA Info]
Rewards!
The Chicago Park District wants you to come visit so badly they’re going to institute a rewards program. [Sun-Times]
Exposed negative
While the unearthed work of Vivian Maier has earned accolades, a tricky copyright law may dictate where profits and proceeds from her work go. [Gapers Block]
Endangered species
Rick Morrissey dares to wonder aloud: Will the Bears have a great offensive line ever again? [Sun-Times]
Mr. Cub
Hall-of-Famer and now Medal of Freedom recipient Ernie Banks will be honored by his old team before tonight’s game against the Reds at Wrigley Field. [ESPN]
The Bright One
The Reader’s Ben Joravsky reports on a CPS principal who spent her summer vacation figuring out which teachers she had to fire due to budget cuts. [The Reader]
Commute
Sudoku; Weather; Traffic; CTA; Metra; Flight delays
And finally
The incredible story of the Make-A-Wish Juggalo. [RFT]