Report: Body of school board boss found in Chicago River

[City Lights]

Source: Chicago Breaking News Center

Report: Body of school board boss found in Chicago River
November 16, 2009 6:42 AM | No Comments | UPDATED STORY

A body believed to be that of Michael Scott, the president of the Chicago Board of Education, was found in the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart this morning, police said.

A black Cadillac registered to Scott was found nearby, and his family, concerned about his whereabouts, had contacted police Sunday night, reporting he was missing. However, the Cook County medical examiner's office has not yet positively identified the body.

Chicago police are conducting a death investigation this morning.

A member of Scott's family said he had visited his sister at a South Loop care facility Sunday and was last seen about 6 p.m. that day.

The Cadillac was found in a parking lot just off the north branch of the Chicago River behind the Chicago Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans. The vehicle was being winched onto a tow truck about 6:30 a.m. this morning.

Police were called to an area near 350 N. Orleans Street in the River North neighborhood about 3:15 a.m. where they found the man in the water, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.

Scott had been board president for five years until July 2006, when then-board member Rufus Williams was appointed at his recommendation. His reappointment in February came about a month after Ron Huberman replaced former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, now the U.S. education secretary.

Scott served in public posts under Mayors Jane Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer and Daley, who also has appointed him Park District board president and a member on the boards of the RTA and Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

-- Pat Curry


Read more: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/11/man-found-dead-near-merchandise-mart-downtown.html

[treestar]

1. Possible suicide?

[mopinko]

2. hmmmm. could be or could be something else.

don't think the school board is some ladies sunday tea party. much money is at stake in a big city school system like chicago. not sayin', just sayin'.
interesting.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. Aw jeez

[izquierdista]

4. Now we know who is going to be Obama's Vince Foster

I'll give Rush until Wednesday to devote a whole program to it.

[closeupready]

5. Bingo.

n/t

[City Lights]

6. Update: Apparent suicide.

Cops: School board chief apparently shot himself in head
November 16, 2009 9:27 AM | 46 Comments | UPDATED STORY

Michael Scott, president of the Chicago Board of Education, apparently shot himself in the head along the banks of the Chicago River early this morning, police sources say.

Scott's family had reported him missing on Sunday. Police used his cell phone to locate his body and his car behind the Chicago Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans along the north branch of the river, police sources tell the Chicago Tribune.

He apparently fell forward after shooting himself, and the gun was found near the body, the sources say.

Scott's family, concerned about his whereabouts, had contacted police Sunday night, reporting he was missing.

A member of Scott's family said he had visited his sister at a South Loop care facility on Sunday and was last seen about 6 p.m. The relative said he visited his sister regularly on Sundays and described him as a creature of habit.

Around 3:15 a.m., police found Scott's blue Cadillac parked next to a trash bin yards away from where he was found along the river, police say.

Police were called to the Chicago Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans in the River North neighborhood about 3:15 a.m. and found the man in the water behind the building, off Kinzie, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.

The Cadillac was found in a parking lot along the river. It was winched onto a tow truck about 6:30 a.m.

Tariq Butt, a Chicago school board member who has known Scott for about 20 years, said he was shocked by the news.

"He's been a giant of Chicago civic life for many many years," said Butt. "It is very tragic news."

Rev. Jesse Jackson arrived at the scene about 7:25 a.m.

"I am stunned beyond disbelief," said Jackson, who said that he and Scott go back at least 25 years and praised Scott as a decent man and an excellent negotiator and problem-solver who got along with everyone. "What a Monday morning to wake up to."

"The suddenness of it ... midday has become midnight," he said later. "The sun has been eclipsed."

Scott had been board president for five years until July 2006, when then-board member Rufus Williams was appointed at his recommendation. His reappointment in February came about a month after Ron Huberman replaced former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, now the U.S. education secretary.

Scott served in public posts under Mayors Jane Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer and Daley, who also has appointed him Park District board president and a member on the boards of the RTA and Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

Representatives of the Chicago Board of Education have not been available for comment so far this morning.

-- Pat Curry, Andrew Wang, and Mark LeBien

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/11/man-found-dead-near-merchandise-mart-downtown.html