Mr Michael Scott Was Found Dead In River Near Kinzie
CPS board president Michael Scott’s body was found early this AM in the Chicago River near Kinzie.
Scott has been in the news recently.
He was involved in some questionable real estate dealings near Washington Park, the site of some of the now-rejected proposed Chicago Olympics venues.
And he was involved in a scandal concerning preferential admission practices by Chicago’s magnet schools.
Scott has always had a close relationship with Chicago’s infamous Democratic Machine. He was a pal of former Mayor Jane Byrne and then became a close friend of the present Mayor Daley. It was a relationship that proved to be quite profitable for his real estate business.
Complete news by chicagobreakingnews.com
A body tentatively identified as Michael Scott, president of the Chicago Board of Education, was found in the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart this morning, police sources said.
A blue Cadillac registered to Scott, 60, was found parked next to a trash bin yards away from the river.
A police spokesman said the identification was preliminary. The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet positively identified the body.
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.
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 brilliant 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
Our prayers are with Mr. Michael Scott and his family may He rest in peace.
