Boston bomb parts found, Senate to vote on gun background checks

Good morning. High today 44. [Forecast]BreakingBoston bomb parts found. Investigators analyzing remnants of “pressure cooker” bomb; overnight vigil in Boston for victims. [CNN] See the FBI photos: [Sun-Times]BreakingFuneral services for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Among those present: Queen Elizabeth, Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger. [Sun-Times] [NBC]

Senate gun votesThe fate of a measure to broaden background checks on gun sales is uncertain with only hours left until the 3 p.m. Central vote on the Manchin-Toomey amendment to close gunshow loopholes. [The Hill] [Roll Call]Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has met with Newtown shooting victims families. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is to meet with them today. [Tribune] [Sun-Times]NBC News is reporting this morning that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) is saying he does not have the votes to pass the background check measure today. [Kelly O’Donnell]

Boston bomb aftermathBoston bomb victims remembered. [Sun-Times] Bomb pieces found; law enforcement asking for photos, videos. [Boston Globe]Tragedy hits close to home as Theo Epstein’s twin brother ran the Boston Marathon [Sun-Times]What investigators are searching for. [PBS Newshour]President Barack Obama called the bombings an “act of terroism” on Tuesday. [Politico]

Family Guy pulls marathon massacre scene. [Sun-Times]Obama will travel to Boston for an 11 a.m. Thursday interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. For updates during the day: [Sun-Times] Anne Semdinghoff funeral todayThe wake for the River Forest diplomat killed in Afghanistan was in Oak Park Tuesday; Gov. Pat Quinn among the mourners. Anne Smedinghoff’s funeral is today. [Sun-Times] [Tribune]

Former Gov. Thompson, White Sox Reinsdorf suedPerri Immer, former executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority filed a federal lawsuit against White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and former Gov. Jim Thompson, alleging the two conspired to fire her after she tried to end long-standing practices that boosted White Sox revenue at the expense of the public. [Sun-Times]

Watch your buttIllinois smokers would be charged $50 every time

they’re caught tossing out their cigarette butts if a state House bill becomes law. [Sun-Times]Chicago story obitRichard Seidel, whose work as an archivist, acquisition librarian, and historiographer helped create world-class UIC collections on pioneering social worker Jane Addams of Hull House, died March 25 in Chicago of complications from a brain tumor. He was 75. [O’Donnell, Sun-Times]

POLITICAL BUSINESS

Freshman Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) Committee assignments:

Oversight and Government Reform Committee and Space, Science and Technology. [Sun-Times] Not the prime spots to deal with her prime issue, gun control, but not many slots left to claim.

Chicago public affairs lobbyist Bill Griffin joined the law firm of

Riordan Fulkerson Hupert & Coleman. He’s a well-connected Democratic

insider who has represented American Airlines for more than thirty years.

Very Rare . . . a Democratic leaning immigrant rights group will

honor a Republican. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

next Monday holds an event to deliver a “thank-you” to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)

who is working with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) on immigration legislation

working its way through Congress. Ryan and Gutierrez headline a City Club of

Chicago lunch on Monday.

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) named Tuesday to

a special House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee “Panel on 21st

Century Freight Transportation.” Lipinski’s district contains many rail, truck facilities.

DAYBOOK

Obama meets with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, welcomes the Wounded

Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride to the White House, dines with Democratic

Senators at a Washington hotel. Durbin will be part of the Senate group.

Secretary of State John Kerry offers his first congressional

testimony since taking over State, justifying his fiscal 2014 budget before the House

Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel makes brief remarks at the 100 Club

breakfast, unveiling an exhibit honoring the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw

Ghetto uprising at City Hall. With City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman

announcing a West Side jobs program at Malcolm X College.

Meetings: Cook County board, RTA board, Illinois Riverboat

Gaming board.

Teach For America founder Wendy Kopp speaks in

Northwestern’s Contemporary Thought Series on Evanston campus.

Environmental Law & Policy Center 20th Anniversary

Celebration at Navy Pier.

SPORTS TODAYBlackhawks to host Penguins at Soldier Field next season [Sun-Times]New Bears coach Marc Trestman has the need for speed [Sun-Times] White Sox play Blue Jays in Toronto; Texas Rangers meet the Cubs at Wrigley Field; Bulls host the Washington Wizards at the United Center.