The [Thursday] Papers

"Hours after a police officer shot and killed two people on the West Side on Dec. 26, the new leader of the city agency responsible for investigating such incidents was on the scene," the Sun-Times reports.

"But even as Sharon Fairley oversaw interviews and the collection of evidence, she was in communication with top aides to Mayor Rahm Emanuel - who had tapped her less than a month earlier with vows that the Independent Police Review Authority would truly be an 'independent arbiter.'"

No doubt, Fairley shouldn't be part of the City Hall team. But I was even more appalled by the second half of the story, in which Emanuel and his team pimp out one of the victim's family for public relations points.

The e-mails confirm that Emanuel and his aides tried to shape the narrative after the shooting.

That evening, Rountree suggested that Emanuel get in touch with Jones's daughter, passing on contact information provided by police.

The next morning the mayor texted Rountree to say he'd written a note to Jones's family. "Rush it over to them," he texted. "I said her mother would always be remembered for her kindness and when called by a neighbor in need she answered."

"Note sounds perfect," Rountree wrote.

The note was delivered that afternoon and Emanuel also spoke with Jones's family - a fact his aides were quick to share with the media.

"Did I mention the Mayor spoke with the family of Ms. Jones today to offer his personal condolences?" Collins e-mailed a Tribune reporter.

A few hours later, Emanuel asked another aide if the Sun-Times and Tribune had written about "my talk with family." The Trib had.

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Race Bait
Jimmy Butler and local media outlet reinforce the pernicious stereotype that dark-skinned people can jump higher than white-skinned people.

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Strategery

ChuyGarcia's endorsement of Michael Madigan is Exhibit A of Rauner's failed strategy to drive a wedge between Democrats; opposite occurring.

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 25, 2016

Even the most progressive Democrat wants Michael Madigan on that wall right now; this isn't the year, Jason Gonzales.

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 25, 2016

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Now, it's true, as some have reported, that Chuy has his eye on the Cook County clerk's office, which David Orr is rumored to be retiring from soon. There is a third piece to the rumor: Ald. Ricardo Munoz would then replace Chuy on the Cook County board, which is also sort of a retirement move. Whether Madigan would help facilitate all that, I don't know.

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Trauner Ticket

Trump/Rauner:

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 25, 2016

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Queer Clout
Plus: Hitler, Hoodies & A South Sider's Staten Island. In Local Book Notes.

The Best Recent Reads On Race In America
"Here's a guide to some of the best recent reporting we've seen that shines a light on the issue of racial injustice and celebrates the resilience of black Americans."

Fantasy Fix Baseball Draft Guide: OF
Cubundant.

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BeachBook

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TweetWood
A sampling.

The new Greatest Generation.

The biggest economic concerns of 18-26-year-olds are corruption, greed and inequality. https://t.co/9AAmetpxRo pic.twitter.com/7baPy5XsAm

— The Intercept (@the_intercept) February 25, 2016

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Also a graphical representation of local media coverage of the topic at hand.

Some Chicago transparency on display in my latest successful batch of #HomanSquare disclosures. (Stories coming...) pic.twitter.com/wOgg1jrtue

— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) February 23, 2016

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Or when your dad has threatened to smear the president.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts: "It's a little surreal when Donald Trump threatens your mom."

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 24, 2016

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Seriously, let's make this happen.

Chicago State University t-shirt idea: I Wanted To Go On Spring Break But All I Got Was This Lousy Governor.

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) February 24, 2016

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The Beachwood Tip Line: Here all night.

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