Chicago Violence Sparks Nat'l Guard Request
CHICAGO - Two Illinois lawmakers say violence has become so rampant in Chicago that the National Guard must be called in to help.
Chicago Democratic Reps. John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford made a public plea to Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday to deploy troops.
The request comes amid a recent surge in violent crime, including a night last week that saw seven people killed and 18 wounded, mostly by gunfire.
Fritchey says Chicago has had 113 homicide victims this year. He says the police department has done a commendable job, but its resources are stretched thin.
Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis says he appreciates the lawmakers' frustration and willingness to help, but doubts the National Guard is the best answer.
A message left for Quinn wasn't returned Sunday.
Chicago Democratic Reps. John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford made a public plea to Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday to deploy troops.
The request comes amid a recent surge in violent crime, including a night last week that saw seven people killed and 18 wounded, mostly by gunfire.
Fritchey says Chicago has had 113 homicide victims this year. He says the police department has done a commendable job, but its resources are stretched thin.
Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis says he appreciates the lawmakers' frustration and willingness to help, but doubts the National Guard is the best answer.
A message left for Quinn wasn't returned Sunday.
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1. Chicago has an outright ban on handguns, and all other guns are expensive to own, by their own laws
2. This immediately disproves the idea that banning guns=public safety
3. The Illinois governor can call out National Guard troops for an emergency--but unless the president calls them out, the state picks up 25% of the tab. This way (title 32) the troops can be granted police powers by the governor.
4. If the governor does fed the feds to federalize their Guardsmen, then the Federal Government pays the bills--bit those same soldiers now have no policing authority, and are bound by Posse Commitatus.
5. If it is this bad, then all soldiers even flying through Chicago should receive hostile fire (combat) pay, hazardous duty pay, and the combat zone tax exclusion.
--Chuck
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