Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Sunday, Sep 14, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

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* Press release…

The following statement was released by the family of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar:

“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather Jim Edgar passed away this morning in Springfield from complications related to treatment for pancreatic cancer. We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months.”

The family will share additional information about services in the coming days.

This post will be updated.

…Adding… Senate Minority Leader Curran…

Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) released the following statement on the passing of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar:

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. His legacy of common sense, bipartisan leadership will continue on through his many accomplishments here in Illinois.”

* Tribune…

Jim Edgar, the two-term Republican governor who guided Illinois through much of the 1990s with a low-key yet intense persona and a meticulous focus on fiscal matters aimed at preparing the state for the 21st century, died Sunday. He was 79.

Edgar died in Springfield, where he had been hospitalized due to an adverse reaction to treatment for the pancreatic cancer that he had been diagnosed with in January friends and associates said. […]

He fulfilled a politically risky campaign promise to make permanent a temporary increase in the state’s income tax for education. He also engaged in severe budget slashing, exhorting lawmakers to tear up the state’s “credit card” after years of passing pork-barrel projects.

Four years later, he defeated Democratic state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch in one of the state’s largest electoral landslides, capturing 64% of the vote, winning by more than 900,000 ballots and taking 101 of the state’s 102 counties, including Cook County. Netsch narrowly won tiny Gallatin County in downstate Illinois.

* Crain’s…

Born in Vinita, Okla., and raised in Charleston, Ill., Edgar was the son of a single mother after his father died in a car accident. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he met his wife, Brenda, and later began a career in state politics as a legislative intern. After a failed bid for the Illinois House in 1974, he won election in 1976 and went on to serve two terms before being appointed secretary of state in 1981. In that role, he championed tougher drunken-driving laws and mandatory auto insurance.

Elected governor in 1990 to succeed Jim Thompson, Edgar inherited a recession and nearly a $1 billion deficit. He fought through a months-long budget impasse, preserved a temporary income-tax surcharge, and led Illinois during the Great Flood of 1993, the costliest natural disaster in state history. His first term also saw initiatives in prenatal care and early childhood education.

After undergoing quadruple bypass surgery in 1994, Edgar returned to win reelection by a wide margin over Democrat Dawn Clark Netsch. In his second term, he focused on schools, child welfare and government reform, often citing Chicago school reform as his proudest achievement. He also sparred with Mayor Richard M. Daley over the fate of Meigs Field, casino gambling and a proposed domed stadium for the Chicago Bears. […]

In retirement, Edgar remained active in civic and political life, often teaching, advising and weighing in on state finances. He became an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, calling him “the biggest disaster we’ve ever had in American government,” and later campaigned with Republicans who crossed party lines to back Kamala Harris. Earlier this year, he revealed he was battling metastatic pancreatic cancer, though he continued to make public appearances.

* SoS Giannoulias…

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar

Jim Edgar was an amazing man and an incredible public servant. More importantly, he was a great friend and advisor to me. His leadership will be missed, his friendship even more so. My family and I send our deepest condolences to his family.

Jim spoke frequently about the importance of the ‘Three C’s’: Civility, Compromise and Compassion – words that resonate more than ever today. Together, he believed they served as the foundation of a healthy democracy, knowing that as Americans, we work best when we collaborate and work out our differences, show compassion toward those who need help, and treat one another with respect and dignity. For Jim, compromise was not surrender; compassion was not weakness; and civility was not placation. Together, these principles give us the space to stand firm in our beliefs and to speak passionately without being disrespected, dehumanized or attacked.

As we mourn his death, we can honor Jim by choosing to believe that - regardless of our differences - a better world is possible through kindness. While the need for a civil, a collaborative and a compassionate political climate is more important than ever with today’s polarizing politics – the duty and responsibility of restoring the Three Cs begins with each one of us.

* Gov. Pritzker…

Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement:

“MK and I are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Governor Jim Edgar. Governor Edgar was a model public servant, a devoted father and husband, and an honest and honorable man.

“I was lucky enough to consider him a friend and mentor and have found myself drawing from his words of wisdom on countless occasions. His commitment to reaching across the aisle in service of the people of Illinois undeniably made our state better.

“Now more than ever, we should channel that spirit and resolve to live as Governor Edgar did: with honesty, integrity, and an enduring respect for all.

“He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build. To honor his legacy, I will direct flags across Illinois to half-staff.

“My thoughts are with Brenda, Brad, Elizabeth, and his entire family. May his memory be a blessing.”

* LG Stratton…

Statement from Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton Following Passing of Former Governor Jim Edgar

“Former Governor Jim Edgar was a man of principle and a passionately dedicated civil servant. He saw past political divides and emphasized the importance of unity in leadership by making a point to always extend his hand across the aisle. He was practical, gave great advice, and did everything he could to build up the next generation of future leaders so that Illinois can continue to grow.

“I was part of the 2016 Edgar Fellows cohort, a program developed by Governor Edgar to strengthen Illinois’ future by preparing young leaders for the world ahead. Together, we worked to embody some of the tenets that made Governor Edgar such a strong leader: listen to understand, speak to be understood, and operate in a way that makes clear disagreements do not have to be disrespectful. When he invited me to become a member of the Edgar Fellows Advisory Board, I was honored to accept. Now, I have the privilege of sharing his steady perspective and deep care with future leaders.

“Today, I send my deepest condolences to the love of his life, Brenda, and their entire family. His legacy is one of lasting impact.”—Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

* Darren Bailey…

Darren Bailey is issuing the following statement on the passing for former Governor Jim Edgar.

“Please join Cindy and me in keeping the family of Governor Jim Edgar in your prayers. While we certainly found ourselves on opposite sides of issues from time to time, I have always had a tremendous respect for the decades of public service he gave to the people of Illinois.

From his time as Secretary of State to his two terms as Governor, Jim Edgar led with a steady hand and a deep commitment to the institutions of our state. He was a man of integrity and strong moral character who dedicated his career to public service. His contributions to Illinois will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of loss. We are grateful for his years of leadership and the example of service he leaves behind.”

* Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter…

The Chicago Labor Movement mourns the loss of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. Governor Edgar was a true statesman who understood the importance of working across the aisle to deliver for Illinoisans. While I attended Eastern Illinois University studying Political Science in the mid-1990’s, I was always struck by the significance of the sitting governor as an alumni of the same university. And his legacy will continue to thrive through his Edgar Fellows program. A program designed to bring Republicans and Democrats together to learn how to work together after elections are won or lost. As a 2017 graduate of the program, I’ve learned important lessons and made incredible friendships because of Governor Edgar’s leadership.

* Treasurer Michael Frerichs…

Gov. Edgar was a gentleman and a statesman. He broke with his party when he felt it was right for the state. He didn’t put partisanship above the state.

He bravely faced health challenges and did not stop serving Illinois once his time in office ended. Gov. Edgar worked to bring people together across the aisle to learn about policy and share good ideas.

I was honored to be part of the inaugural class of Edgar Fellows in 2012. We related to each other as Downstaters. He was always open to discussing and offering advice or help, and I am grateful for that and his service to Illinois.

* Jen Walling, Illinois Environmental Council…

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Jim Edgar, whose legacy as a steward of Illinois’ lands, waters, and natural resources will be felt for generations. Throughout his leadership, he dramatically expanded recycling programs and preserved more land than any governor before him—including the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie—and championed Conservation 2000, investing $100 million in conservation, water quality, and open space. His vision and partnership with the Illinois Environmental Council ensured that environmental concerns were heard in Springfield and translated into lasting policy change. To his family, friends, and all who admired his work, we extend our deepest condolences.

* Sen. McClure…

State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement on the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Edgar. As one of our greatest governors, he increased adoptions of foster children by 500 percent, reformed welfare, and heightened sentences for murderers and sex offenders. I first met him when I was a young man while my mother was serving as his director of personnel at the Secretary of State’s Office. Governor Edgar is one of the people that inspired me to enter into public service. He worked tirelessly to encourage the next generation of leaders and was always available to speak with the high school students taking part in my Youth Advisory Council. I was honored to be an Edgar Fellow. My family and I send our deepest condolences to Brenda Edgar and the entire Edgar family.”

* Former Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra…

It was an honor to serve as Jim Edgar’s Lieutenant Governor. By any standard, he was a Republican whose integrity guided his time in office and who managed one of the most successful periods in Illinois state government. A student of history, he learned from those who came before him and now leaves a legacy with the Edgar Fellows he created to inspire and prepare future generations of Illinois leaders. Kathy and I send our deepest sympathy to Brenda and to Brad and Elizabeth and their families.

* Former Gov. Quinn…

Gov. Pat Quinn has issued the below statement on the passing of Gov. Jim Edgar:

“Gov. Jim Edgar was a good and decent man who cared deeply about the people of Illinois. He believed in property tax reform and a quality education for everyone.

“May God rest his immortal soul.”

* Speaker Welch…

House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch released the following statement Sunday following news of the passing of Gov. Jim Edgar:

“Some people run for office to be something, and some people run for office to DO something.”

“Illinois is grateful to Governor Jim Edgar for doing something good during his two terms in office. He restored credibility to our state government, and he was always a true statesman who worked across the aisle with both parties. I could not be more proud to call myself an Edgar Fellow.

“With the passing of Gov. Edgar earlier today, we lost a good man, a good friend and a damn good governor. May his memory be a blessing.”

* Ted Dabrowski…

Dabrowski Statement on the Passing of Governor Edgar

September 14, 2025 - I mourn the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar. He was a decent, family man. I respect him and his family and his service.

I disagreed with many of his policy choices as governor from tax increases to public sector pension ramps.

I disagreed with many of his choices after his tenure as Governor from his endorsements for governor to his aiding and abetting Pritzker.

But while Jim Edgar and I had different ideas about proper fiscal governance of the state and stands on matters of cultural importance to our electorate as well as standard-bearers for our party, I respected Jim Edgar and I am saddened by his passing.

Now more than ever we need to separate political disagreements, even within our party, from the ties that bind us as a free society: appreciation for family, respect for differences of opinions and a commitment to compete for the people’s support within a free marketplace of ideas.

I extend my prayers for Jim Edgar and his family during this difficult time.

* Senate President Don Harmon…

“Jim Edgar was a true statesman for Illinois. His leadership both in office and out made our state a better place. My sympathies go out to his family and his many, many friends.”

* House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…

“It is with deep sadness that I join Illinoisans in mourning the passing of Governor Jim Edgar. Governor Edgar was a dedicated public servant who led with independence, humility, and a genuine commitment to bringing people together.

“Throughout his distinguished career, he worked tirelessly to build bridges across party lines, strengthen Illinois’ fiscal foundation, and put the needs of our citizens ahead of politics. His steady leadership and principled example earned respect from Republicans and Democrats alike.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Brenda, his family, and all who loved and admired him.

“May he rest in peace!”

* Illinois AFL-CIO…

Today, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea released the following statement in response to Governor Jim Edgar’s passing.

“Governor Jim Edgar was a true public servant in every sense of the word. He led Illinois with compassion, integrity and respect for all viewpoints. Although organized labor did not always see eye to eye with the Governor, he always listened and worked to find agreement on both sides of the aisle to support Illinois’ working families.

He was a good man who cared about the future of our state, and we are grateful for his leadership. Governor Edgar will be missed, and our thoughts are with his family as we mourn this tremendous loss.”

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Porter McNeil (Updated and comments opened)

Friday, Sep 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Comments are now open.]

* Porter and I went to college together a long time ago. I’ll have more next week, but you won’t find a man like him again. From Alex Gough…

After a four year battle with cancer, Rock Island County Board Member Porter McNeil passed this afternoon. He kept swimming, attending political events, serving as a Rock Island County Board member, and being a great father to James, Jack, and Ellie and husband to Mary until the very end.

“Porter’s passing leaves an irreplaceable hole in the community he loved so fiercely,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “His infectious enthusiasm and fervent dedication to his family, his friends, and to doing the right thing for the neighbors he represented should serve as a guiding light for all public officials to follow. My thoughts are with his loved ones, his children — James, Jack, Ellie, and his beloved Mary. May his memory be a blessing to us all.”

“Porter was a dear friend whom I counted on in many campaigns,” said US Senator Dick Durbin. “He knew the Quad Cities and people respected his honesty and his values. He loved Mary and his family and couldn’t wait to call and tell me Jack’s latest political adventure. I’m going to miss him.”

“Porter McNeil had a great talent for communications and tremendous passion for politics but always as a vehicle to help improve the lives of his community and hard-working people,” said David Axelrod. “He also was an unfailingly gracious man, a loving husband, proud father and a wonderful friend. I will miss him.”

“In his time as a Member of the Rock Island County Board, Porter McNeil worked tirelessly on efforts related to economic development, legislative matters, and more recently passenger rail.” said County Board Chairman Richard “Quijas” Brunk. “He had a true passion for community, and that passion and its impact will be felt for years to come. We have lost a great member of our team, our community has lost a staunch advocate, and I have lost a friend.”

“Porter was a friend to me who helped build me up as a candidate,” said State Senator Mike Halpin. “So many of my words over the years actually belonged to him, as was true for candidates of nearly every level of public office. He was our fierce defender of Democrats in the press, but most importantly he was a good man - to his constituents, to his friends, and to the family he loved.”

Porter was a gifted communicator with a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, St. Paul Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois. He served nearly a decade working on behalf of all Illinoisans in and around the Illinois Statehouse in Springfield.

As a member of the Rock Island County Board since 2021, he was active in helping to drive community economic development efforts, as well as by volunteering with numerous local community organizations.

As a campaign consultant he worked on dozens of campaigns including serving as a communications consultant to the Democratic Party of Illinois in 2024 and Illinois Communications Director for the Kerry-Edwards Presidential Campaign in 2004. He was a familiar face in the region, having appeared on WHBF-TV’s Sunday political talk show “4 the Record” 70 times since 2016.

His personal political highlights included attending the 2004 Democratic National Convention as a Kerry Delegate to experience then state Senator Barack Obama’s epic red state/blue state speech that electrified Democrats and working with David Axelrod & Associates to end the GOP’s 30-year control of the Iowa Governor’s Mansion in 1998. McNeil was also key in the introduction of State Senator Barack Obama to the Quad Cities on October 2, 2002.

RIP, buddy.

…Adding… Porter’s family is setting up a scholarship program in his honor. Please click here to contribute. Thanks!

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A quick briefing on Ted Dabrowski’s running mate (Updated)

Friday, Sep 12, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski announced his running mate today. Her name is Carrie Mendoza, an emergency medicine physician and activist. Oddly, Mendoza didn’t speak at today’s announcement (even though Dabrowski’s mother did) and neither candidate took questions from the media. As I write this, no press release has been issued. So, we’re kinda flying blind and we decided to put together a quick look at her background.

…Adding… We just received the release. Only a brief mention of his running mate…

Joining Ted Dabrowski on the ticket is Dr. Carrie Mendoza, a 25-year ER physician, mom of three, and longtime advocate for the quality of care of patients and against the political corruption of healthcare.

* Like her husband Myles Mendoza (who helped pass the state’s now-defunct tuition tax credit program when he ran Empower Illinois), Carrie Mendoza is a school vouchers advocate.

Dabrowski and Ms. Mendoza spoke at an event this past spring sponsored by the Liberty Justice Center: “Legal landscape of trans-related issues in schools and society: Liberty Justice Center talks to a full house at Mallinckrodt”

* From Wikipedia…

FAIR in Medicine program is led by Carrie Mendoza, an advisor to Genspect and Detrans help. It attempts to distinguish “talk therapy” from other forms of conversion therapy and has opposed a Department of Homeland Security nondiscrimination rule covering gender identity.[32] FAIR made comments to the Department of Education opposing Title IX nondiscrimination protections for transgender students.[32]

FAIR in Medicine’s website is here.

* The Record Community News Group…

A novel that has been on New Trier High School’s reading list for six years drew the aim of a subset of district parents on Monday, June 7, during the monthly board of education meeting. […]

Dr. Carrie Mendoza, a Glencoe resident and New Trier Neighbors board member, was one of four speakers who referred to one scene in the book as “soft porn” and claimed it was not appropriate for the sophomore class.

* NBC News…

J.P. Leider, a University of Minnesota health policy researcher who oversaw the state’s tool to help Covid patients determine if they qualified for treatment, said that political groups may succeed in halting race-conscious policies, “but that doesn’t mean that those disparities don’t exist.”

“They’re very real, and they’re very measurable,” he said of health inequities.

Some medical professionals have pushed back on the utility of race-conscious policies in health care, saying they can interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

“I would want to teach the trainees to look at each patient as an individual, and what their unique identity is, and the unique situation going on with them,” said Dr. Carrie Mendoza, a Chicago-based physician who leads the medicine chapter for the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, an advocacy group formed last year to oppose “woke ideology.” “Not lumping them into a group — that’s kind of dehumanizing.”

* More from Isabel…

Carrie Mendoza | ER doctor: Next COVID-19 fight is to flatten the bureaucracy:

* Transgender Map | Carrie D. Mendoza vs. transgender people: In an introductory video, Mendoza likened the “orthodoxy” of gender affirming care to forced sterilizations in Nazi Germany and Iran. […] Mendoza also drafted and distributed an open letter supporting Kenneth Zucker for publishing yet another ethically questionable article in the Archives of Sexual Behavior about “rapid onset gender dysphoria.” Mendoza also had study co-author J. Michael Bailey on to defend the article and Zucker. The paper was later retracted.

* Illinois Families for Public Schools | Dark money orgs on the ground in school board races in Illinois: FAIR’s Illinois chapter coordinator Carrie Mendoza is the wife of Myles Mendoza, former president of Empower Illinois, the group that led the effort to create Illinois’ voucher program (and currently benefits from administering the program as a voucher middleman org that skims millions off the top of the voucher funds they distribute). The former Illinois lobbyist for Betsy DeVos’ American Federation for Children (see below) Nate Hoffman is a member of FAIR’s board of advisors. They have attacked Evanston D65 on issues of race and gender as well as New Trier D203. They attended Evanston High School D202 events in the fall of 2021 to disrupt affinity group activities for parents.

* Southern Poverty Law Center | Group dynamics and division of labor within the anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience network: The group’s FAIR in Medicine program is led by Dr. Carrie Mendoza, who serves as an adviser to Genspect and Detrans Help – an organization that promotes therapists, doctors and detransitioners who are willing to testify before legislators and lawmakers against affirming care.[82] FAIR in Medicine also manages a “Gender Healthcare Policy Map” and attempts to distinguish “talk therapy” for transgender people from other forms of conversion therapy. Like SEGM, the group opposed a DHS nondiscrimination rule covering gender identity. FAIR, like Do No Harm, was founded to largely oppose anti-racist pedagogies in American education, and its members claim that therapists are trained to tell white patients that they are “oppressors.”[83] It has since become a key voice amplifying anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience.

* NPR Nevada | As some states ban gender-affirming care, Nevadans work to protect it: Mendoza pointed out the fact that there are trans individuals who go through gender-affirming care and later decide to de-transition. “They were feeling optimistic and good through a pathway, and when they got to the end of the pathway, which was surgery for a lot of them, they reflected, ‘Well, this actually didn’t fix some of my problems,’” Mendoza said. “I’m open minded. I want all these kids to do well, but I want to make sure that we aren’t irreparably harming them; causing sterility, or causing worse mental health issues later.”

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Trump says the National Guard will deploy to Memphis though he “would have preferred going to Chicago” (Updated)

Friday, Sep 12, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* AP…

President Donald Trump said Friday he’ll send the National Guard to Memphis to address crime concerns there with the support of the mayor and the governor.

Trump, a Republican, said on Fox News Channel “the mayor is happy” and “the governor is happy” about the pending deployment. The mayor is a Democrat, and the governor is a Republican.

He said the city is “deeply troubled” and “we’re going to fix that just like we did Washington,” where he’s sent National Guard and surged federal law enforcement.

Since sending the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, Trump has openly mused about sending troops to some of the nation’s most Democratic cities — including Chicago and Baltimore — claiming they are needed to crack down on crime.

* Trump’s full remarks on the Fox News Channel…

Fox and Friends: The National Guard, because they say they belong in war zones. But our city, Chicago, six people shot over the weekend, killed the weekend before that 11 more…

Trump: And that’s a good weekend.

Fox and Friends: This is happening in every major city. There’s a lunatic that’s on the street, that some Soros DA, that is allowed out. What’s going to happen?

Trump: I think maybe I’ll be the first to say it right now, again, we’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled. And the mayor is happy, he’s a Democrat mayor, the mayor is happy, and the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy, deeply troubled. We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington.

I would have preferred going to Chicago. I had a man and a big, the head of a big, big railroad. They’re doing a merger, and he wanted to come see me and all that stuff. And I asked him, because, you know, that’s one of the largest train companies, maybe the largest, so you can figure out who it is, okay, Union Pacific. And he was in my office, and he started off 45 years ago with the railroad. Such a great — sir, sir, I’m a railroader. That’s the kind of guy that should run it, as opposed to a Wall Street guy that destroys the railroad, but he’s good financially. And he was a very impressive guy. And I said, ‘So what do you think, where should we go next as a city? Because we’re going to 1, 2, 3, and then we’ll do a few at a time, but we’re going to straighten out the crime of these cities.’ He said, ‘Sir, Memphis would be good because he’s on the board of FedEx.’ He said, ‘When I walk one block to my hotel, they won’t allow me to do it. They put me in an armored vehicle with bulletproof glass to take me one block.’ He said, ‘It’s so terrible.’ I said, let me ask you a question. So we’re going to Memphis. I’m just announcing that now, and we’ll straighten that out.

Fox and Friends: National Guard?

Trump: National Guard and anybody else we need. And by the way, we’ll bring in the military too if we need it, but National Guard. But Memphis is — look, it’s a great music city. It’s, you know, home of Elvis and everything else. But I said to him, ‘Where else should we go? Where would you say?’ He said, ‘Sir, please do me a favor. St. Louis has been so badly hit. It’s very hard, very, very hard.’ He said, ‘Don’t lose Chicago. You’re going to lose Chicago, sir. It’s a great city. You’re going to lose Chicago.’ And then we have this ‘la Pritzker’ on television every day. All he does is hit Trump. I said, does he realize last weekend he had 11 people killed and 28 wounded, 28.

Fox and Friends: Doesn’t bother him. He says he’s got the situation handled.

Trump: And he keeps saying, we have no crime problem. The week before — he had a week, we had 72 people injured and like 11 died. But every — if he does five, like you just said, five — that’s a good week. Every weekend they’re losing many people. It’s out of control.

But when this guy, who’s a smart guy here, he head’s a big-the biggest railroad, he said the way he said it. He said, Sir, please don’t lose Chicago. You about we are about to lose Chicago. It’s a great city. You can save Chicago.

Please pardon any transcription errors.

* Washington Post…

Memphis is the second-most populous city in Tennessee, behind Nashville. Memphis has historically experienced a high crime rate, though like other major cities, it has seen a drop in crime in recent years.

“Overall crime is at a 25-year low, with robbery, burglary, and larceny also reaching 25-year lows,” the Memphis Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.

Young, the Memphis mayor, acknowledged in a statement to local media Thursday that Trump and Lee were “considering” deploying the National Guard to Memphis.

…Adding… Mayor Johnson…

Mayor Brandon Johnson Response to Trump “would have preferred” to send National Guard to Chicago

“Because of the unified opposition from community leaders and elected officials in Chicago and throughout the state, the Trump administration backed down from its threats of sending in the National Guard to Chicago. We continue to call on the federal government to send additional resources to help us continue to drive down violent crime, but we reject any military occupation of our city. The way to reduce violence is by focusing on the strategies that work: effective policing, violence prevention, and investing in communities.”

* Related…

CNBC | Trump says National Guard will deploy to Memphis next, sidestepping Chicago:

* Fox Chicago | Trump pivots, will send National Guard to Memphis instead of Chicago: Trump made the announcement during an interview on Fox News, saying he “would have preferred going to Chicago” but described the city as “hostile” with “professional agitators.” Both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson opposed the idea of a deployment there.