Cutting Their Losses?

A tale of 2 resignations. Surprise resignations hit CPD, state's attorney's office Tuesday - CWB Chicago

My first reaction is to think "Rats and sinking ships." But I think it is more complicated than that.

The resignation of Chicago PD Area Five Detective Commander Eric Winstrom seems like a no-brainier.

In the morning, Grand Rapids officials announced that CPD Area Five Detective Commander Eric Winstrom would become their city’s new police chief. Winstrom rattled cages in September when he used a rarely-exercised power to override Cook County prosecutors’ refusal to pursue murder charges against a man in the murder of 7-year-old Serenity Broughton. But Winstrom was himself overridden by CPD Supt. David Brown who wanted to avoid the optics of clashing with the state’s attorney’s office.

Because you can't let Justice stand in the way of "optics."

In another story on the subject, it becomes even clearer. Chicago police commander selected as Grand Rapids’ next top cop

Why is it a no-brainier? First he has the time in CPD.

Winstrom has served with the Chicago Police Department for more than 20 years in various patrol, tactical, investigative and administrative positions.

Next, he is moving to a city that is trying to become safer, not foster chaos.

Winstrom said he is eager to continue the Grand Rapids Police Department’s commitment to community policing and its goal of making Grand Rapids the safest mid-sized city with the most trusted police department in the United States.

And lastly, he and his wife have two small children ages 8 and 10, so they can get the kids away from the chaos of the Windy City.

The other resignation comes out of the office of Illinois State's Attorney Kim Foxx. (Back to the first link at the top.)

The real surprise came later in the day when the state’s attorney’s chief of criminal prosecutions, Natosha Toller, abruptly announced that she is leaving the office after 16 years. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx selected Toller to lead the criminal prosecution branch just over a year ago.

This resignation seems more like, "Getting out before I get associated with the coming disaster." And Kim Foxx is a disaster for Chicago and Cook County.

There is much less information about why Ms. Toller left her position in the State's Attorney's office. The only thing cited in one article was "personal reasons." (Hat tip to 19th Ward Chicago)