Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Monday, October 23, 2017.
- Police close Kenneka Jenkins investigation, but family lawyer says photos of her body “raise more questions than answers”
Law enforcement authorities in Rosemont have closed the investigation into the death of Kenneka Jenkins. Jenkins, 19, was found dead in a freezer at a Rosemont hotel September 10, and police have ruled her death accidental. There has been intense public interest in the case, most focused on foul play, and the photos released by officials have fueled further speculation about her death: “Frankly, the photos depicting how Kenneka was found raise more questions about what happened to Kenneka Jenkins than they answer,” Jenkins family lawyer Larry Rogers Jr. said in a statement. [Tribune]
- Chicago Public Schools enrollment drops by 21,000 over two-year period
Enrollment at Chicago Public Schools has dropped by 21,000 students over a two-year period. The number of top-rated schools also decreased by 5 percent, and officials are blaming it on lower attendance caused by “the presidential election, the Day Without an Immigrant movement, labor strike uncertainty and Cubs playoffs.” Only 198 schools achieved the top Level 1+ ranking, and the number of schools who earned one of top three rankings decreased. Officials are happy that the number of schools in “good standing” increased. [DNAinfo Chicago] [Sun-Times]
- Republican state representative considering running against Rauner
Republican state representative Jeanne Ives “is actively considering a primary challenge” to Governor Bruce Rauner, saying she “doesn’t expect him to win a general election contest next year,” the Tribune reports. Ives, who opposed Rauner’s support for HB40, a bill expanding abortion coverage, “has been courting social conservative groups and working to get her name out in settings far beyond her west suburban district in advance of a potential exploratory committee.” No Republicans yet have announced challenges against Rauner in the 2018 primary, but state senator Sam McCann has also said he’s considering it. [Tribune]
- Proposed Amazon sites include Fulton Market, Schaumburg, Oak Brook
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been pushing hard to land Amazon’s coveted second headquarters, and the ten proposed sites, which were submitted last week, have been revealed. The sites are divided into three categories: City Core, Innovative Urban Districts, and Suburban Corporate Campuses. Proposed sites including Lincoln Yards, the River District, City Center Campus, Schaumburg, and Oak Brook. [NBC Chicago]
- Cubs face an off-season crossroads after NLCS loss to Dodgers
The Chicago Cubs won’t be going back to the World Series after losing the National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday evening. The Cubs quickly fired pitching coach Chris Bosio, opening the door to speculation about staff and roster changes during the off-season. There should be plenty of drama. “We face a lot of challenges,” team president Theo Epstein said. “We knew that the 2017-18 offseason would be one of our most challenging—have known that for a long time—and that there may be more certain opportunities presenting [among free agents] next offseason. We have to find a way to balance those two things. [Sun-Times]
- Elske, Entente are the only new restaurants to earn Michelin stars
Twenty-five Chicago restaurants have earned a 2018 Michelin star, with Elske and Entente the only new restaurants to earn the prestigious honor. Michelin favorites Alinea and Grace earned three Michelin stars, and 19 restaurants earned one star. [Eater Chicago]