Shock at news of Scott's death

11/16/2009 2:30 PM

By Micah Maidenberg
Editor

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Michael Scott

Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott has died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Scott, who lived in the West Loop, counted many public and private sector initiatives on his resume.
In addition to leading the Board of Education twice and serving on it a third occasion, Scott was a member of the Public Building Commission of Chicago and previously headed the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners, among other appointments.
Derrick Watts, a neighbor of Scott's in a N. Ada Street development, expressed "total shock" at the news, which broke Monday morning.
"We're still trying to take it in ourselves," said Watts, who recalled see Scott and his family holding cookouts on their deck during the summer. Scott was genuinely friendly, Watts recalled. "He was just a neighborly chap, always asking 'How are you doing?'"
Chicago police superintendent Jody Weis and chief of detectives Thomas Byrne will lead a briefing about the situation today at 3:15 p.m. at police headquarters.
The Scott family issued a statement earlier this afternoon: "The family of Michael W. Scott deeply appreciates the outpouring of support during this time of unimaginable grief. Our personal loss is also shared by many throughout Chicago, the home he loved so much. We will miss him greatly."

UPDATE Nov. 16 4:29 p.m.
Chicago Journal sister paper Austin Weekly News spoke with Congressman Danny Davis (7th) about Scott's death this afternoon.
"Mike was a bright young fellow. He emerged quickly as someone who had a presence. When you went to a community meeting, Michael was there because he always had something to say. So he emerged and helped organize the community," Davis told Austin Weekly. Full store here.



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