"Sleepin' wit' da fishes". -  Chicago school board president Michael Scott steps down.

from: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com

Cops: Initial investigation indicates Scott shot himself

November 16, 2009 9:53 AM

 

Police cordon off area along the Chicago River near the Kinzie Bridge where body was found. (Alex Garcia/Tribune)

Police investigating the death of Chicago school board president Michael Scott say initial reports from the scene indicate Scott shot himself in the head along the banks of the Chicago River.

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 early this morning, police sources tell the Chicago Tribune.

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

While police sources say it appears the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, the Cook County medical examiner's office was still conducting its investigation and hadn't determined how he died.

Scott's family had contacted police Sunday night when he didn't show up after visiting his sister at a South Loop care facility. The relative said he visited his sister regularly on Sundays and described him as a creature of habit. He was last seen about 6 p.m.

Around 3:15 a.m. today, police found Scott's blue Cadillac parked next to a trash bin yards away from where he was discovered along the river, police say. The car was winched onto a tow truck about 6:30 a.m.

Chicago Teachers Union President Marilyn Stewart said in a statement that Scott recently told her he didn't think he'd be around much longer as board president, and that he viewed his appointment as being an interim one.

Stewart said she last spoke with Scott on Saturday regarding the upcoming school board agenda.

"I found Michael to be someone who worked with the union in a cooperative manner and who was willing to hear the other side of any issue," said Stewart. "I believe he was dedicated to doing what was best for the children in Chicago Public Schools and his death leaves a huge void to fill at a time when the Board desperately needs stability in its leadership."

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, Azam Ahmed, and Mark LeBien

* * * * *

UPDATE

Scott: Third Prominent Official to Commit Suicide in Two Years

By STEVE BRYANT
Updated 1:38 PM CST, Mon, Nov 16, 2009


Michael Scott's suicide marks the third suicide among prominent public officials in the last two years -- and each of the men were being investigated by authorities or already convicted of wrongdoing.

Scott, former Balgojevich aide Chris Kelly and former Stroger aide Orlando Jones all died by their own hand.

Scott, who was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday morning, was a mover and shaker in Chicago politics and a prominent member of the African-American community here.

Earlier this year, Scott was scrutinized over Olympics-related real estate dealings.

A key member of Mayor Daley's Olympic committee, Scott also served as a consultant to a major condominium developer who proposed to build near the Olympic Village site.

Earlier this summer, Scott moved to sever his ties to another developer after the Tribune revealed his plans to build a retail and housing project near the proposed Olympic cycling venue on the West Side.

Scott's business dealings led residents to suspect that Mayor Daley's friends would profit the most from the proposed 2016 Olympic games, which of course Chicago failed to win.

Also recently, Scott made news when he was subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury looking into the admissions practices of Chicago's elite schools.

Asked at the time whether he was aware of students being unfairly "clouted" into elite schools, Scott said he had no comment, but looked forward to answering any questions.

If Scott did indeed kill himself, he's the second prominent public official with ties to development contracts to commit suicide in recent months.

Former Blagojevich aide Chris Kelly plead guilty in September for participating in an O'Hare kickback scheme. Days later, Kelly overdosed on pain medication.

Kelly was originally indicted on tax charges related to gambling debts.

Kelly and Scott were preceded by Orlando Jones.

Jones, a 52-year-old godson of ex-County Board President John Stroger and former top Stroger aide, shot himself in the head after a business lunch in 2007.

Jones had been under criminal investigation for real estate dealings in Las Vegas. He was approached by FBI agents two days before his death, but declined to speak with them.

First Published: Nov 16, 2009 8:20 AM CST

A lot of remorse and guilt in the Chicago psyche. Must be from living with such strict morals and cultural values.