Ald. Toni Preckwinkle picked a good week to unveil a new website for her run at the Cook County Board presidency. Just as the Hyde Parker ramps up her own campaign, a major political rival is bowing out of the race. Crain's Greg Hinz has the scoop:

In a major political surprise, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool has decided not to run for County Board president in next year's election.

Mr. Claypool was not available for comment and his office declined comment.  But multiple political sources say that Mr. Claypool in the past 24 hours has informed them that he will take a private-sector job in health care.

Hinz notes that fellow board member and reformer Larry Suffredin might try to fill the vacuum created by Claypool's exit, acknowledging that he is putting together an exploratory committee. That's a development worth following.