* [CHECK UPDATE 3 BELOW] The governor says he might call out the National Guard…
With gun violence at a crisis, Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday said he is in talks with Illinois State Police and the Illinois National Guard to see if more police officers can be deployed to the streets of Chicago.
The governor said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley hasn’t asked for help, but Blagojevich says he’ll call the mayor once he has some concrete suggestions about what help he can provide.
Blagojevich didn’t have many specifics, but he said it’s more likely that state police will be brought in than the National Guard.
He also apparently suggested that retired police officers could be brought back for duty. Interesting that he hasn’t broached the subject with Mayor Daley yet.
Grandstanding again?
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Tribbies have a story online, and it brings up an important point…
Just how the State Police would play a significant role is questionable since Blagojevich has only recently begun rebuilding its ranks after union officials say the agency lost more than 10 percent of its positions from 2001 through 2005 and patrolling of many areas, particularly during nights and weekends, is spotty at best.
* They also have a response from the mayor’s office…
“We’re obviously not going to turn away help on a front as important as this,” Heard said. “At the same time, we’re a little puzzled about how it would work. It’s unprecedented. Obviously, help in the form of reducing the number of guns on the street go a long way to addressing the problem.”
* And this…
Blagojevich and Daley have not been politically close. Like Daley, Blagojevich has alienated many leading Democrats in the state—Senate President Emil Jones being a strong exception—over a style of governing that critics contend is dominated more by a personal publicity pop than putting any substance behind it.
No!!!! Really?
*** UPDATE 2 *** IIS has raw audio. Listen or download.
*** UPDATE 3 *** The governor’s press secretary has just issued this clarification…
As mentioned at today’s press conference, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said it was “highly unlikely” that the Illinois National Guard would be sent out to help the Chicago police. The more likely scenario involves the Illinois State Police. The Governor is meeting with law enforcement officials later today to look at options on how the state can help Mayor Daley with more personnel.
The National Guard will only be attending the meeting today for informational purposes.
The only way the National Guard would be involved, if they are involved, is with the use of tactical helicopters that are currently used in narcotic operations. No National Guard troops are being considered. [emphasis added]
So, no troops in the streets.
- You Go Boy - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:47 pm:
Grandstanding is far too understated. Like a trapped rat, this one will go for anything that will help him survive, regardless of how it affects those he “governs”. He’s a bum, but he has much company…
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:49 pm:
Grandstanding? Blago doesn’t know the meaning of grandstanding! No, really, he doesn’t know what it means.
I must have missed the reports of Chicago becoming the West Bank or a mini-Beiruit. I nearly burst out laughing during a meeting when I saw this headline. To quote Bugs Bunny, “What a maroon.”
- anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:51 pm:
That’s funny, Maybe Rod should just deploy the E.S.U. ( his body guards ). I’m sure they can handle the task at hand for Gov. Corruptovitch
- jj - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:52 pm:
Interesting - best solution is getting the police out on the streets.
Anything to get more police out there would be good.
- One of the 35 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:54 pm:
Our State elected officials keep forgetting to ask the question. “Who will pay for this program and with what source of funds????”
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:56 pm:
What’s the over/under on the number of people (from his office or from the state police or national guard) he really did discuss this proposal with before blurting it out to the press?
- anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 1:57 pm:
I’m sure The retirees would be glad to come back. After all Rod and company will not even negotiate with the troopers on a new contract. Not much we can say about Blago except he is a joke to the state
- South of I-80 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:02 pm:
In paraphasing Rob Reiner’s Mom, “I want what he’s having”!!
- Rod sez I'm pork - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:03 pm:
Although you have to admit, Generalissimo Blagojevich has a nice ring to it.
- Gene Parmesan - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:05 pm:
That’ll surely help Chicago’s Olympic chances. I bet the Mayor is royally upset with this.
- Springfield Alum - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:09 pm:
I wish I was a fly on the wall in Mayor Daley’s office right now to see his reaction to the Governor’s proposal.
- anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:09 pm:
I’m sure the retired State Troopers would come back if they could increase their pension benefits and do nothing just like the current director has done.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:10 pm:
===Generalissimo Blagojevich has a nice ring to it.====
Yep. He finally found his war.
Is Indiana next? lol
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:10 pm:
That’s an incredibly reckless statement.
The National Guard is a military unit; they’re not police. What would he propose they do? Patrol the streets in armored vehicles? And if they came across crime, what would they do — open fire?
Great publicity for the city. I’m sure Miller is happy about they’re choice this afternoon. The Olympic Committee, too. This very moment, Daley is having a meltdown of historic proportions.
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:12 pm:
I don’t read this as much as grandstanding as a slap in the face. Daley is against the Capital Bill, so Blago says, “He can’t run his city and stem the violence, so I’ll do it for him!”
- jj - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:14 pm:
Rich, Indiana is a threat to our peace and prosperity. That ain’t something to joke about.
- Willie Stark - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:18 pm:
Every governor action must now be viewed through one of two lenses: avoiding a possible Senate impeachment conviction and tampering with the jury pool. He knows what’s coming. So do many of the commenters on this board. What is the best possible defense he is likely to have with a jury of northeastern Illinois citizens? He was a good man, trying to do good thing “for people” (of course) and challenging the status quo. But, the powers-that-be didn’t like the fact that he was trying to: import flu vaccines, give people health care, make sure children could go to pre-school, close corporate tax loopholes, help kids with autism, put people to work with a capital plan, etc. And now, of course, make the streets of Chicago safe by bringing out the National Guard. Just maybe, maybe, there might be someone on that jury from a neighborhood beset by violence. That might appeal to them. Or, maybe there will be someone on the jury who has an autistic child or knows someone with an autistic child. Or, maybe a senior citizen who’d like to take the bus for free (yes, I know the governor cut that out with his vetoes; evil House!). He only needs one to buy into his sociopathic populism. One to hold out for this cursader for “the people.”
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:18 pm:
Let’s just take over Indy’s casinos so we can ban smoking. Imagine them smoking so close to our borders.
- BandCamp - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:19 pm:
Along the lines of what SS Mike said, since when is Chicago any worse than Atlanta, New York, East LA, etc? I think a first step would be a curfew, but even that is ridiculous.
What’s funny is when the Governor opens his mouth. This Guerrero guy has been taking the bullets from the media for the last few weeks. But when Blago gets the opportunity to speak for himself, whoa!
- Team America - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:20 pm:
It also may not be too good for Obama, if this story gets national legs–which it might–given the looniness of the statement and the additional Olympic bid implications. And if Da Mare goes ballistic publicly, it will only throw fuel on the fire.
The more attention that gets paid nationally to Chicago/Illinois politics and the problems we face as a state, people start to wonder how Obama can possibly be trusted to run the country when what he’s left behind at home is in such a state of disarray. Simply arguing that he has not been ‘tainted’ by Chicago/Springfield machine politics is not enough; soon, more people will start asking, why didn’t you do more to fix it?
- Crimefighter - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
Well the concealed carry/handgun ban officially is a total failure. Criminals are openly violating it in defiance of the law. With the recent Supreme Court ruling pretty soon the law-aiding citizens will be allowed to carry legally to counter.
- Crimefighter - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:25 pm:
Wordslinger, the National Guard were called to stop the violence following the Rodney King verdicts in Los Angeles when it was demonstrated local police couldn’t handle it. So yes, there’s history behind the Guard stopping crime waves.
- 2for2 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:28 pm:
I’m at a loss for words. Really, truly unbelievable.
- Macbeth - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:29 pm:
Has Daley responded yet? This seems quite insulting — a direct insult — to Daley. The violence in Chicago is serious, but Blagojevich is the last person I’d like to see tossing out ideas here.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:34 pm:
Also, if we took over Indy’s casino’s we would not have to expand gambling to fund the Capital Bill. It is Illiois money going across the border anyway… and what is with Wisconsin!
- Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:35 pm:
WWOOOWWW, unbelievable.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
I’m aware, Crimefighter.
The National Guard has patrolled the streets of various cities when there’s been close to a complete breakdown of public order. Post-MLK assassination, for example, in Newark and Detroit, or as recently as New Orleans post-Katrina.
I’m on the corner of Michigan and Wacker. I rolled through the West Side on the CTA this morning. I don’t see it. What does the governor see?
One thing’s for certain: national TV news is going to be all over it, doing the thorough and insightful job they always do.
Bad, bad, bad.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
Yeah, maybe just an incursion into Indiana to seize the border-area casinos and surrounding land. The casinos are mostly full of our own people anyway and those nearby fireworks and cheap cigarette stores are spreading destruction throughout our state. So we can justify an incursion by claiming to protect our citizenry!!!
And then, YES, on to Wisconsin! We could seize Milwaukee on behalf of our new corporate overlords Miller/Coors.
- presto - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:38 pm:
I remember the National Guard on my high school campus (Morgan Park) in 68 when we had civil unrest. I’m sure Rod is too young to remember the violence and neighborhoods in flames.
Makes one wonder if he had this kind of savior behavoir in mind when he cut neighborhood police programs.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:40 pm:
Check with IBOT how this free publicity will support the Mile After Magnificent Mile advertising campaign they’re currently shelling out big money for. The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the hotels and restaurants will be way happy, too.
Chicago — Al Capone, bang, bang.
- Judgment Day Is On The Way - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:43 pm:
I’m pretty sure the IL NG units would prefer their assignments (currently units deployed are mostly in/going to Afghanistan) to the alternative of having to patrol some Chicago neighborhoods.
First off, the ROE for Afghanistan are going to be a whole lot clearer than they would be for Chicago. And in Chicago, they’d probably be changing every 15 minutes.
Secondly, the federal tax benefits are considerably better if you are deployed to a declared combat zone.
Rich, has the roof blown off the City-County Building yet?
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:44 pm:
Speaking of all those guards for the gov –
If the Gov. had to wait in traffic like the rest of us, he might be more interested in road improvement.
I saw an unmarked police vehicle one day recently on the Kennedy, pulled over to let it and the following to cars through, and was royally annoyed to realize that our gov. couldn’t wait in traffic like the rest of us.
I expect that for certain offices, but the Gov. of Illinois? His time is more valuable than mine?
- 2for2 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
Rich, a possible Afternoon Edition QOTD could be to predict the headline of the Sun-times front page tomorrow on this story. I like “THE INVASION”.
- Rod sez I'm pork - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:49 pm:
May I suggest we also make a small incursion into Michigan? Just the Kalamazoo area. This way we can get Bell’s beer in Illinois again.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:52 pm:
Governor’s press release: “Invasion thwarted by Governor Blagojevich!”
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 2:54 pm:
If we invade Indiana, shouldn’t we annex Ft. Wayne while we’re at it? Isn’t that where “they” are moving our F-16s? We’ll want to hold on to our air support in case those gangbangers in Chicago start shooting back!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:03 pm:
Yeah, good point. We’d probably want to do that first as a surprise attack so that the planes couldn’t be used against us during the riverboat/fireworks/cigarette incursion.
We need an operational name, however. Operation Save Our Sinners?
- Judgment Day Is On The Way - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:05 pm:
Now, wait a minute. This is a true example of GENIUS!
We’ll call it “The Blago Surge”.
We’ll identify the troubled Chicago neighborhood areas, and we’ll put 12 foot high steel reinforced concrete walls all around them, with IL NG checkpoints at all openings.
We’ll do mandatory biometric scans on all individuals entering/exiting through checkpoints. This step also automatically signs everyone up for “All Kids” at the same time, regardless of age.
We’ll turn “The Cell” into “The Cell” to hold all the individuals arrested for failing to contribute to the Governor’s re-election.
Genius, I say, Sheer Genius on behalf of our Governor.
- Ken in Aurora - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:18 pm:
I’m all for increased enforcement of existing laws instead of ludicrous ban attempts, but using the ILNG is a bad idea.
- Levois - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:20 pm:
I’ll give the governor credit for thinking. I don’t know much about following thru. Or even a full plan.
- anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:20 pm:
Just released that the Governor is not considering using National Guard, except maybe with using tactical helicopters in some narcotics operations. The NG attending meeting for info purposes. Whew!
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:24 pm:
The Gary airport should also be secured early for tactical purposes as well as to put this Peotone thing to bed once and for all.
Rich, ISPeeved will be hoppin’ this evening…
- Madison County Watcher - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:29 pm:
Biggest winner of the day: Representative Ron Stephens.
He was almost in another fight with Monique Davis over some heated words. Now, no one will remember any of it, as the Governor employs the National Guard to stock Vandalia Prison.
- Jake from Elwood - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:29 pm:
Can the NG be deployed to Springfield to man the exits of the Capitol until a budget is finalized?
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:30 pm:
Judgment Day,
I can see Miller/Coors doing a new Real Men of Genius ad for Blago.
Either that, or a remake of Canadian Bacon with the Governor taking over the John Candy role.
And as long as we’re invading people, let’s get rid of Iowa with their absurd first in the nation Caucus. And Kentucky could revive the horseracing/gambling industry in the state!
Viva la revolution!
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:39 pm:
V is for BlagojoVivh
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:39 pm:
V is for Blagojevich is more like it
- What's in a name - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:41 pm:
Milarod Bulworth
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
PS: While the invading forces are in Hoosierland, we should take over the Speedway (bye bye, Gomer Pyle!) and that overrated college in South Bend. New Name: North Central Illinois State University.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
No longer will it be Chicago vs. downstate. We will unite and take what is rightfully ours,
Blago the builder.
Illinoisans united in our new super-state.
We will succeed or secede
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
Unfortunately, the Illinois State Police have been transformed into the Illinois Seatbelt Police with the lack of leadership they have suffered under the last 5-7 years. They won’t be much help to Chicago with the crime program……gotta write them seatbelt tickets.
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:45 pm:
While this stunt might lower Gov. 13% to Gov. 9% in Illinois, I think his approval rating on this blog may have gone up!
- Judgment Day Is On The Way - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:51 pm:
Well, if we have to cross over into either Iowa, Kentucky, or Missouri, we’re going to have to first take control of the bridges.
Let’s use the Blagojevich Special Operations Forces (BS-OF) to take control of the needed ingress/egress points.
Don’t you just love it when a plan starts to come together?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:51 pm:
Well that was a short war. I wonder if he misses his spin sisters?
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:57 pm:
Yes, Hannibal, I do.
In reality, I pity the fool!
- steve schnorf - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 3:58 pm:
The Illinois National Guard has MP units
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:05 pm:
I was wondering when someone would bring up the spin sisters…..Blago is MUCH more entertaining now. Kind of sad, yet I can’t look away….
- wondering - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:05 pm:
I’m sure the Olympic committee has got to love this publicity
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:07 pm:
When is our State Party and the media going to step up and start calling Obama out on this? 4 years ago he ran on the same message he is today, that we need to move past an ideological divide and answer problems, and yet in April he went and slammed gun owners as bitter, rather than engaging them to find a solution. It’s worth noting he’s holding his convention in the same state that the Littleton massacre took place 10 years ago.
Newspapers want to understand why they are losing relevancy. It’s because they keep publishing story after story about how he met his wife rather than how he has met this problem. So it’s hard to feel bad for people that can’t see that his message is mush when it comes to having to act to make a difference.
He has no national security experience, no executive experience, not much time in D.C., but he has lived in cities now for 3 decades where a major issue has been gun violence and this is what he has to show for it after 12 years in the state and national legislature?
This should be a bread and butter issue for Obama to solve and I love how the media is going to give him a free pass so that we can learn what kind of jello he ate for breakfeast, or which latest major chicago donor might sit on some White House Council that will publish a report no one will read.
- Not Bad Enough.... - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
….that Blago has screwed up the State so badly; now he insists on screwing with the Olympics (not suggesting that that’s a great idea). Here’s a rumor that ought to go over big with Olympic officials: ‘IL Governor threatens to send in National Guard to quell Chicago violence.’
WOW - watta guy.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:12 pm:
If the Governor was doing his job in the state capital, perhaps he would have a better perspective of the situation in Chicago than the one he currently displays. Blagojevich has stepped into a situation he was not asked to step into at a time when he should be more than fully engaged in the job he currently holds.
His comments sounded not fully formed and he sounded as though he was thinking out loud. After seven years he should have learned to avoid doing this. Especially on a subject he is not requested to assist in handling. Especially when suggesting a solution he is not experienced in handling. Especially considering that he has not yet had any meaningful conversations or meetings with those who would actually be involved. We can go on and on discussing what poor judgement Rod Blagojevich displayed here.
His comment insulted Daley and all Chicagoans whose job it is to handle public safety.
Today, instead of working hard to get his legislative agenda through the General Assembly, Rod Blagojevich shot his mouth off and displayed very poor judgement, only complicating the issue he claims he intended to assist.
Bad Governor! Bad!
- Deleted Daily - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:13 pm:
Is the governor attempting to foil Mayor Daley’s bid to host the Olympics?
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:16 pm:
Drawing attention away from that budget mess, I guess. Way to stay on message….
- walter sobchak - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:30 pm:
I am waiting for the cognoscenti’s over under on how many people Blago discussed this with prior to popping off. Has the Mayor blown up yet? This beyond embarrassing, the National Guard on the streets of Chicago to stop gang killings? This isn’t style over substance but mania over insanity.
- cynically anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
I just can’t help but wonder - how much has the violence increased in the neighborhoods that had the Ceasefire program operating in them before someone cut the funding? Does he ever think before he goes on one of these PR blitzes?
- Crafty Girl - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:41 pm:
His the Governor even sure Chicago wants his “help”? I thought the State Police were to patrol the highways and crimefighting in the various municipalities was left up to the locals?
- Speaking At Will - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:43 pm:
This is actually the first thing that has made any sense out of the Governors office in recent memory.
== His comment insulted Daley and all Chicagoans whose job it is to handle public safety. ==
If it is the job of Mayor Daley and “Chicagoans” to handle public safety I would say that they are a complete and utter failure.
According to FBI crime numbers, between 2003 and 2007, chicago nearly kept pace with U.S. Military casualties in the Iraq War.
Calling state police officers into the South Side would cut violence almost over night. Illinois has one of the most highly trained police forces in the United States, and instead of actually preventing crime, they run all over the state and write seat belt tickets.
I am feeling a little faint when I say this, but…….gasping for air……I agree with the Governor….
- A Springfield Veteran - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
The Mayor has to be going nuclear right now. What a thing to say when the image of Chicago is so vitally imporant to the decision of the Olympic Committee. I’m sure the Chinese will have some questions about using troops to bring about civil order. Not good!
- South Of I-80 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 4:59 pm:
Carothers to G-Rod: I’m The Boss
- South Of I-80 - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:01 pm:
Or should that be…….G-rod to Carothers:I’m The Boss!
- HELP US - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:05 pm:
Dear God, please help us. This man is insane.
State Police to help Chicago: First, this would require legislative action and I doubt that’s happening. The State Police do not have jurisdiction to “patrol” the Chicago streets. Second, I love the idea that police that are supposed to patrol the highways and handle “State” matters will become de facto Chicago Police officers. I think the State Police unions and the Chicago Police unions might have something to say about that.
- "The press are coming! The press are coming!" - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:05 pm:
“I will contact Daley when I have some concrete ideas.”
Don’t you think you should have contacted Daley before you contacted the press?
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:13 pm:
Does anyone have a really good pattern for tinfoil hats? I’m gonna make a million bucks before this idiot is out of office . . . sorta like Rich has! LOL
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:14 pm:
With regard go Anon 4:07:
Since the comment has nothing at all to do with Blago/Daley or the City, it looks like the Illinois Review types have decided just to dump random comments here.
- Ahem - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:18 pm:
Is there any more displaced aggression for Blago to milk? I’d say it’s about endgame time when this kind of stunt is on the table.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:25 pm:
Help Us, you are jurisdictionally confused. The Illinois State Police may by statute exercise their police powers anywhere within the boundaries of the State of Illinois. Whether mayors, unions, or others like it or not, that’s the L-A-W.
By the way, if you were in the City of Chicago and some knucklehead ‘jacked your car or lifted your billfold and a State Police car happened to be passing by, would you flag down the Trooper or say to yourself, “this isn’t a “State matter”-I’ll just call 911 and hope CPD has someone free.”
On behalf of my many friends and colleagues at the ISP and CPD-Bite Us.
- Captain America - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:35 pm:
As Alice might say things just get “curiouser and curiouser” in Blagoland.
Governor you’re late, you’re late for a very important court date. Wathc out for the King of hearts, and please take your pills!
- Bill - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:43 pm:
The state police already do patrol all expressways in Chicago as well as the surrounding areas. Maybe Rod just means that they will quit writing seat belt tickets and do real police work since they are already in the area anyway.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:50 pm:
The Channel 7 News played it with a straight face. Visuals of troopers and troop-transport-helicopters landing on green fields.
The governor had his deer-in-the-headlights look while he explained about Chicago violence being “out of conrol” and in some neighborhoods, an “epidemic.”
He grew up here, right? Crime is up this year, but it’s been on a downward trend for many years. It’s hot — everyone calm down.
The only comic relief was Kwame Raoul, big smile and stifling laughter, saying basically, “yeah, we’ll take anything you got.”
The governor will have to put some money behind this, won’t he? Helicopters ain’t cheap.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 5:53 pm:
From Guerrero’s statement:
==The only way the National Guard would be involved, if they are involved, is with the use of tactical helicopters that are currently used in narcotic operations. No National Guard troops are being considered.==
To my (limited) knowledge, the IL ANG has 18 helicopters, of the Chinook and Black Hawk types. The Chinook sure ain’t tactical (for you folks that aren’t into this stuff, the Chinook is that big sucker with huge rotors on each end that you can hear coming about 5 miles away) and the Black Hawk is no ultralight; it’s been used plenty for “narcotic operations,” but very seldom, if ever, within the borders of the United States.
I bet Rod watched some TV on Spike, truTV, or the like last night after the All-Star and hatched this nifty plan all by himself.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:02 pm:
I was a cops reporter for many years. In my experience, the ISP does it’s job and does it very well. Same with the CPD. Of course, there are the scandals, but they’re big operations, you’re bound to have some. It doesn’t change the fact that if you’re in a jam, they’ll be there in a hurry to help you out.
The spike in killings is not the fault of cops or Weiss. They’re being made the goat. Whether it’s a trend or an aberration, it’s too early to tell. But I can guarantee the cops are doing their jobs.
What’s galling is that the governor just kind of wanders into the situation with some half-baked notion he hasn’t worked out yet and rips the city. He’s not serious and I guarantee you there will be no effective follow-through. What a silly dilettante.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:10 pm:
Well guv’s been called a “maroon”, sociopath, megalomeniac, insane, corrupt, etc. I think I’ll add Loose Cannon as the new candidate. A “loose cannon” has the unfortunate tendency to move unexpectedly and Blow a fatal hole in the bottom of the ship of state and sink it. Yep! Loose Cannon!
- Macbeth - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:12 pm:
What I’m missing is the motivation for jumping in this particular fight at this particular time. The violence is bad, sure — but why today (literally) with this notion?
Is this a response to Daley for some long-simmering slight? Did Blagojevich suddenly watch one of the awful Chicago newscasts?
Did Blagojevich’s personal sedan get tagged by graffiti and keyed and sucked dry of gas?
- Watch out now - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:14 pm:
Crime wave in Chicago? How’s that handgun ban working?
- fed up - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:16 pm:
From what Ive been reading the chicago cops havent had a contract in over a year and just dont care anymore. How long would teachers or garbagemen work without a contract.
- Another Retired ISP Command Officer - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 6:33 pm:
This guy speaks something and then places the calls to tell people they now have to make a plan as he just told the press that ISP will help Chicago. What a joke , first ISP is at about 1900 officers down from a all time high of about 2400 around 20 years ago. We have half as many on patrol as then , because so many are working riverboats and motor carrier officers have about tripled because the federal government pays their salary and for their patrol car, they are only ones with good squads as most troops cars have anywhere from 150,000 to 250,000 miles on them , Trent and his side kick Chuck need to go, your right,all they have become are seatbelt ticket writers , Troops hate it, but you are called on the carpet if you don’t write them the Illinois Hwys are as about out of control as is the City of Chicago, ask your CPD officer if he thinks 200 state troops will make a dent ,if they could even send that much.
- Jack - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:14 pm:
If he had done a better job of keeping the 183rd in Illinois, he could have had jets to strafe the south side. But seriously, this would be a bad mission for the Guard and I am glad he backed off of that. The Guard members are stressed enough from all the recent active duty deployments and they don’t need a BS mission like this.
- Sprimgfield Watcher - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:24 pm:
This will help get Chicago the Olympics. I don’t think Dick needs any more help for Rod.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:28 pm:
Bring in the State and the Nationals under the guise of taking over the City, but then deploy them covertly to Canada. Might as well get some “real” land if we’re going to war on the Continent. (I wish John Candy were still alive; he invaded Canada once in a movie so he could have helped Blago.)
If we play our cards right, allies could include:
- Upstate New York (that whole Niagra Falls thing);
- French separatists in Quebec (always helps to have someone on the inside); and
- Michigan (because Detroit is, after all, Canada’s UNfriendly neighbor to the south and hence, a natural enemy).
Don’t worry about the global bad press that Illinois will get because of the invasion. It’ll be nothing compared to the speculation we’ll be facing when a place like Beijing gets the Olympics over Chicago, so we might as well go for it…
…invade Canada, definitely.
- Sprimgfield Watcher - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:33 pm:
In place of the NG sent out Judy and the rolling pin. What was he thinking?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:36 pm:
On a personal note, my child’s concerned about the Milwaukee invasion. He’s going to school there this fall just to get away from Illinois.
Do you think we could holdup the annexation until he graduates?
- Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 7:38 pm:
Will the National Guard be activated for the Bud Billiken Parade?
A lot of CPD (the real police) are tired of the double standards from on high that tell them to round people up at the South Side Irish Parade for having open booze on their own front lawns, vis-a-vis being instructed to ignore the felonies attendant to the annual Billiken parade.
www.secondcitycop@blogspot.com is a site where CPD men and women in blue with first-hand experience have posted the horror stories.
- Captain America - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 8:16 pm:
Maybe the National Guard should stage a coup in Springield instead of occupying Daleyville?
Pat Quinn might be able to to fill the role of Robespierre - he could clean house at the Governor’s mansion in Ravenswood, depose the legislative leaders,and restore truth,justice, and the American way to the land of Lincoln.
It would be a far-far better thing than Quinn has ever done before for the good of our banana republic.
- Ahem - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 8:34 pm:
Do you think there is a change in style from the governor’s office with the arrival of Luis Guerrero?
- Commissioner Gordon; O'Hara left for the evening... - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 8:37 pm:
That should have read www.secondcitycop.blogspot.com for those who are interested in hearing it from the troops on the street.
- Truth - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 8:47 pm:
What percent of the vote did Blagojevich get in Chicago? 75%? 80%? Send in the cops and the guard, they deserve it. Arrest all the criminals that are shooting each other, then issue tickets to everybody who voted for this jerk.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 9:00 pm:
Suggestion for Blago’s spinmeisters:
Issue a correction:
-from “deployed to streets of Chicago” to “deployed to streets of Canada” (”both begin with a “C”, and he’s easily confused”)
-from “gun crisis” to “job crisis” (”both words are comprised of three letters, and he’s easily confused”)
“Objective is to return hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs back to Detroit, which will be annexed to Illinois once the Canadian invasion has been completed, hence making good on his promise to create more jobs in our State–with the added benefits of saving the Olympic bid and preempting da Mayor’s planned early AM strike on Blago’s office.”
“Missed call to the Mayor pending a ‘more concrete plan’ has absolutely nothing to do with invasion of the City. The subject matter of the call has to do with plans for negotiating with the unfriendly unions that lost the jobs in the first place, which are still in development”.
“Sorry for the confusion. You are now free to travel to and within the City.”
- Amy - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 9:38 pm:
maybe GRod is writing for the Click and Clack show. tonight’s second episode included Operation Complex Carbohydrate, the invasion of Italy for the war for pasta. (very funny, involved creation of a car that runs on pasta, satire of oil wars, funny show on PBS). the sad thing is that GRod’s thoughts have a good seed of truth…something has to be done about crime, including perceptions about crime. But talking without speaking to the mayor is not the way to do it..
- DumberThanUThink - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 9:40 pm:
The best way to reduce crime in Chicago?
Load Blagoof and all his thugs into the SUVs and move them to Naperville!
I think this move confirms the earlier diagnosis
- Keef - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:48 pm:
Budweiser salutes “Real Men of Genius!”
(real men of geeeenniiooususs)
“Here’s to YOU, governor Blagi-blogah, um, Mister Illinois governor-guy!”
(Mister hard-to-say-governor-guUY-YYYYY!!!”)
“You weren’t happy enough with just 13 percent popularity, you needed that extra little something over the edge to make the world understand you were absolutely batshirt loco…”
(Makes them humor me because I might be danger-ous!)
“And so you suggested to a Daley the re-enacting of Chicago 1968, but adding National Guard troops, just in time to greet the Olympic City selection Committee…”
(PLEASE don’t tase me, bro!)
“You took playing chicken with a train to a new and exciting and fanciful dimension in your approach to state government, and have set up the state for years of mentioning your name for oh, so MANY reasons, for years to come… so, we raise our bottle and say: here’s to you, Governor seven percent: shine on, you crazy diamond!”
(He’s BOUND to plead insanity!)
“Anheiser Busch, St. Louis.”
- Gregor Samsa - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 10:57 pm:
Congrats Rod; you made FARK.com’s front page today. Enjoy the great PR.
http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=3740105
- outside the box - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 11:16 pm:
wonder how the ISP districts who can’t provide any nite patrol will assign troopers to Chi’town?
- Speaking at Will - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 11:32 pm:
Keef…
That is Nobel Prize worthy!
- Norman Smith - Wednesday, Jul 16, 08 @ 11:57 pm:
It sounds and looks like people (let’s make up a name Keef, who may or may not be a regular at Keefer’s, a known watering hole of The Late Steve Neal) are comparing His Excellency, the Governor, to the late Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd fame, who, eventually moved back in with his mother, picked weeds in the garden and died.
Blago is a man without a brain, period.
- anonymous - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 5:58 am:
What a “freaking” nut ! The army patroling greater Chicago. That will be a tourist enhancer. I picture Blago riding in on the ‘Damn Ryan’ ,leading the convoy, standing up in a 4 x4 “Hummer” & mounted with a 50 cal., flags a flyin’ ,wearing a beret, sam brown style belt & two pearl handled revolvers & shouting to anyone who’ll listen …”fear not citizens…I’ve come to liberate your village !”
- anon - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 6:20 am:
“With his mighty army {Ill NG} at his side Brig. General Blago drove the evil wiley & incorrigible bastards into the sea {Lake Michigan} Law -n-order was once again was restored to the village. Now on to Itasca !!
- 618er - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 7:02 am:
“tanding up in a 4 x4 “Hummer”.. ,wearing a beret, … …”fear not citizens…I’ve come to liberate your village !” ”
He would NEVER…. it would mess up his hair…
A Citizen, to answer your question….
I have been working on a couple. One, is very similar to a hard hat. Kinda to keep ones head cool during all this. The other.. full protection like a football helmet.. But the important thing is make sure you use the double thick foil, it really is the only thing that keeps the voices…..
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 7:50 am:
Where are ALCOA’s plants located? We’ll go after them next. Job creation in Illinois–that’s the ticket!
- anon - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 8:39 am:
Maybe Rod is thinking about moving to the Mansion now that all the violence is taking place in Chicago. Oh wait the air conditioner is on the fritz.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 8:39 am:
Some of those forum posts on FARK are classic. Not up to the Captain’s standards, but special in their own way.
- Rebel13 - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 8:43 am:
Keef, that was excellent!
- red dog - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 9:11 am:
as retired ISP,I will follow the gov’s orders and go find my rusty sidearm,get issued a surplus vehicle with 250000 miles on it,and head for Chicago [hopefully with a towtruck escort]to assist my brothers and sisters in CPD by aggressively writing every gangbanger a seatbelt ticket,or whatever other grant driven enforcement fad the state is wrapped up in this week-if I can find Chicago with GPS and if my squad can get out of the state garage
- lifer - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 9:30 am:
Have we forgotten about Iowa and Missouri perhaps we can deploy the Wendella boats equip them with guns and patrol the rivers. Set up a fort at the Tamms Correctional facility and take over the Mississippi
- johnnyc - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 10:15 am:
On the raw audio RRB says that he is impressed that Kwame Raoul read a Supreme Court decision. Isn’t he a lawyer?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 5:25 pm:
Good call, lifer! I’ve added the push pins with the little flags on them to my roadmap.
red dog, thank you for serving!