* From the White House, June 26, 2020…
Dear Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot:
I write to you today to call your attention to and urge action on the devastating violence in Chicago. While I have been heartened to see crime reductions nationally the last few years, I have been horrified by the continued violence in this great American city.
I recently read an article from the Chicago Sun-Times on June 8, 2020, “18 murders in 24 hours: Inside the most violent day in 60 years in Chicago,” which discussed the severe crime and lack of law and order in our Nation’s third largest city. The article details how “85 people were shot and 24 killed the previous weekend, the most in modern history in Chicago.” Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect. I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement. The article recounts the following horrors:
A hardworking father killed.
A West Side high school student murdered.
A college freshman who hoped to become a correctional officer, gunned down.
18 people killed Sunday, May 31, the single most violent day in Chicago in six decades.
The weekend of May 29, 25 people were killed and another 85 wounded by gunfire.
The most violent weekend in Chicago’s modern history, stretching police resources that were already thin because of protests and looting.
Violence and death, which are disproportionately harming young African Americans, are tragic and unacceptable, particularly on such a shocking scale. According to the Chicago Sun Times, “shootings across the City increased by 71 percent last month,” and just this past weekend 102 people were shot in the city’s most violent weekend of the year. A 3-year old toddler was killed. More Americans have been killed in Chicago than in combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq combined since September 11, 2001, a deadly trend that has continued under your tenure.
The American people (hardworking taxpayers) send you millions of dollars in Federal funding each year to support public safety in Chicago. In 2018 and 2019, the City of Chicago benefited from $136 million in funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, and another $68 million was recently announced for Chicago from this important program. The Department of Justice awarded and is in the process of awarding nearly $20 million to support law enforcement and law-enforcement related entities in the City of Chicago and Cook County across 2019 and 2020, including resources for combating opioid abuse and recidivism reduction. The Department of Labor has also awarded funding to programs targeting prisoner re-entry and recidivism reduction in the Chicago area. My Administration allocated $898.6 million to the City of Chicago and Cook County from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which helps support your first responders on the front lines. In the absence of any modicum of leadership, however, these substantial sums of taxpayer money are not being turned into results, and the safety of your most vulnerable communities continues to deteriorate. These funds are in addition to those collected through your combined insatiable appetite to tax the people of Illinois and Chicago.
I will continue to lead the way to support historically disadvantaged communities and would welcome your help in these endeavors. In December 2018, I signed into law the First Step Act, marking the first major reforms to our criminal justice system in over a decade. This brings historic reforms to make our justice system fairer and to help inmates successfully transition back into society by providing prisoners with a second chance through rehabilitative programs and fair sentencing. Additionally, when I signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, we created Opportunity Zones. Nationwide, nearly 9,000 communities have designated Opportunity Zones, including over 130 in Chicago, which are incentivizing investments in areas that have been forgotten for far too long. My Administration has also provided robust, unprecedented support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Recently, on June 16, I signed an Executive Order advancing important reforms to elevate a noble profession and strengthen the essential bond of trust between police officers and the communities in which they serve. My Administration continues to work closely with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and others across the political spectrum to advance further policy improvements and meaningful reforms.
Unlike previous Administrations of both parties, I am willing to tackle unsolved challenges. If you are willing to put partisanship aside, we can revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Chicago, together. But to succeed, you must establish law and order. The combination of crime, high State and local taxes, and onerous State and local government regulations have caused thousands of Illinoisans to flee to other States. Between 2010 and 2019, Illinois lost more of its population than any other state in the Nation. If you are interested, I am willing to ask members of my Cabinet to meet with you and help devise a plan to make Chicago safe, since a successful formula has escaped both you and your predecessors. My Administration would also welcome the opportunity to engage with you and your colleagues as you develop bipartisan policy recommendations to improve policing and make our great cities safer for all.
Unfortunately, you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens. The people of Chicago deserve better.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
* Sun-Times…
Lightfoot replied: “I don’t need leadership lessons from Donald Trump. As our police officers, street outreach workers and residents continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, he’s using the victims of gun violence in our city to score cheap political points, spew racist rhetoric, and ignore the impact of COVID across this country. It is despicable, disgusting and all too typical. Same old tired playbook. How about some leadership not steeped in the divide and conquer tactics?
“I stand with the Governor in providing for the safety and well-being of our residents.” […]
Trump has focused on Chicago crime since his 2016 presidential campaign, accusing city leaders and then Mayor Rahm Emanuel of thwarting police and at one point pledging to “send in the Feds.”
One of Trump’s oft-cited claims, which has never been proved, is that he talked to a “top police officer in Chicago” who told him he could stop crime in the city “within one week.”
* Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh…
President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in an attempt to distract from his long list of failures, especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice. The people of this state and this nation have unfortunately come to expect his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy with his predictable and worn-out strategy to distract, distract, distract. The Governor stands with the Mayor in working to accomplish meaningful change.
* Tribune editorial board…
Pritzker and Lightfoot should call him on it. Schedule a meeting with Justice Department officials. Draw up a wish list. Federal dollars and law enforcement assistance are valuable. Maybe it means more manpower, more imaginative approaches, more technology. There are existing, effective social service programs in Chicago, ranging from gang conflict mediation to teen mentoring, that would benefit from a targeted infusion of federal dollars.
Deep breaths before commenting, please. Thanks.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:04 am:
This from the guy whose boss put a bounty on each American the Taliban can kill.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:07 am:
” you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens.”
Everything he says is projection. Everything.
If he says something that seems out of the blue, it just means that there is a story about to break that is going to put him in the exact same light he is trying to shift to others.
If his statement wasn’t political, why no mention of the other cities with a higher murder rate than Chicago? Don’t want to call attention to the home state of the VP?
Was a foreign country putting out monetary bounties on the people in Chicago?
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:08 am:
Must have taken too deep a breath and gotten lightheaded because the quoted part of the Trib editorial actually made sense.
- Bemidji - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:09 am:
Whatever Lightfoot is doing, it isn’t working.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:10 am:
Trump playing to base again. Carnage in Chicago is horrid
But Trib has it right. Call him on it. Everyone put egos aside say what do you have here is what we need.
What if he actually had to act and the city and state got something that helped. Be Like Churchill if the Germans invade he’ll the devil is my ally
- thoughts matter - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:12 am:
The violence in Chicago predates the tenure of both Pritzker and Lightfoot. For that matter, it predates their predecessors.
Calling them out as if they caused it was unnecessary and unhelpful. The tone in this letter is not what you use to offer actual help. It’s a letter you write for campaigns to use against them.
Offer actual help.,.. and then I suggest that the President go figure out why Flint Residents still can’t drink water from their faucets. That’s also something he could offer to help with.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:13 am:
Pretty harmless move on Trumps part. I doubt he cares about winning Illinois , but it does sort of resonate in nearby Michigan and Wisconsin.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:15 am:
To Trump?
Meh.
It’s a Facebook rant wrapped as a communique but is a bunch of gibberish.
Me? I’d frame it and hang it.
“This was the time Trump got all koo-koo, but put it in writing. I’ll cherish it always.”
Also…
Presidents don’t punch down.
Small people punch down, weak people punch down…
Trump is small, weak, and a divider like no other President.
The letter is on brand.
- SIU - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:15 am:
You can always shoot the messenger, but you have to admit the City of Chicago/State of Illinois is failing the Citizens there. Pritzker and Lightfoot inherited the problem, but don’t seem to be able to come up with any meaningful actions that change the violent crime trajectory. If Trump loses I’m sure both would readily accept the offer from the next President, but people will continue to die in the meantime.
- Terry Salad - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:16 am:
Trump desperately needs to distract from his massive failure on the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that Russian agents put bounties on American soldiers in the field. Sadly, shouting “Law and Order” will not save his repidly sagging poll numbers (the only thinghe really cares about).
- Old Lobbyist - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:17 am:
Why not take advantage of the federal offer? We need all the hope we can get. The last thing you want this opportunistic president to say is “I offered them help and they turned it down.”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:18 am:
=== You can always … the messenger===
Your choice of words was… interesting.
- efudd - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:18 am:
“put your own political interests ahead of lives”
And come April, when the weather warms, the virus, I’m told, will just disappear.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:18 am:
Unfortunately, you (President Trump) continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens. The people of America deserve better.
Sincerely,
America
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:21 am:
The Governor and Mayor inherited a public safety crisis that is now much worse and are refusing Federal help for their residents because of politics in an election year.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:21 am:
Trump is to not be trusted. He just retweeted a racist video and constantly demonizes POC. Chicago is a favorite right wing punching bag and he’s trying to exploit it. Trump is trying to get rid of the ACA. He stripped regulations and gave massive tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest. He made all public employees RTWFL. He is against gun reform. Most everything Trump has done promotes the conditions that help fuel deadly violence.
- Langhorne - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:21 am:
It plays well with his base. They take it seriously, and like his appearing to scold Lightfoot and Pritzker.
- Unstable Genius - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:22 am:
I agree with “West Side is the Best Side”. Per the Trib,”Schedule a meeting with Justice Department officials. Draw up a wish list. Federal dollars and law enforcement assistance are valuable. Maybe it means more manpower, more imaginative approaches, more technology.”
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:22 am:
First, let’s recognize that Trump didn’t write that letter. It has too many statistics, and when he uses statistics in speeches, he makes them up. No, it’s too coherent for him to have written it.
Second, this is playing to the red hats, and there are many of them in Illinois. Whenever Trump “works with Democrats,” there’s no compromise on his part, only his way.
Third, it’s clearly naive, if its intention is to get a Republican elected mayor of Chicago. Again, a pot-stirrer for the red hats.
So give it the lack of attention it deserves. Too bad it didn’t come out during the t.p. shortage.
- First Amdt Lawyer - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:23 am:
He is trolling. I would either not respond, or call him on it.
I do think the responses make Lightfoot and Pritzker look defensive about it. Frankly, there is a violence issue in Chicago, and answering back with tired accusations looks like an attempt at distraction instead of leadership.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Pritzker and Lightfoot are polling better than Trump in Chicago and Illinois.
Plus, getting help from a president who tweets racist videos.. dunno if he’s the right person to talk “law and order”
- Amalia - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:27 am:
this is not about Chicago and Illinois and how much the President wants to care for a problem. Chicago is code for all things Obama and Black people. that is what Trump wants to run against. don’t give him any troll food. approach the issues via discussion with national Democrats, do your own job, and ignore the troll.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:28 am:
===Per the Trib===
Trib’s editorial board.
Who did they endorse in 2016 for President. Why?
Hmm.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:29 am:
Polling is more important than federal help for public safety of our poorest residents?
Sad state of affairs in dysfunctional Illinois and its largest city
- Back to the Future - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:30 am:
Agree that Team Big and Mayor Lightfoot should pursue the offer to help stop this increase in violence in Chicago.
Having seen police cars burned, stores looted, fires started, police officers injured and now these little children killed, it clearly is time to put aside all this spin and partisanship.
- Downstate - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:31 am:
Successive administrations seem nonplussed about the situation of Chicago.
The situation demands immediate solutions, not governmental social programs. The city, at this point, has to be won back block-by-block. Cameras are the first, right step.
533 shootings in the month of June, so far.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Trump is many things, but on this issue he is on target. Jay Bob and Lori have thus far been utter failures in addressing the ever escalating violence in Chicago. It is absolutely their responsibility to fix this problem, especially for the mayor. I could not help but notice their response to the letter failed to provide any possible solution to the violence but had plenty of criticism for it’s author. Which is as much leadership on this issue as we are likely to get from either of these two gasbags.
- Pundent - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:34 am:
Probably doesn’t warrant any response. Clearly the President wants to change the subject from current events. We have a terrible virus spreading uncontrollably and a racial awakening that the President is feebly using to divide the country. Why give any credence in his attempt to portray himself as a law and order President?
- Nick - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:38 am:
“Pritzker and Lightfoot are polling better than Trump in Chicago and Illinois.”
OW,
I’m sure the 20 month old that lost his life in Englewood, yesterday will be pleased to know that. Or maybe the 3 year old slaughtered in Austin.
Some things aren’t about politics. Certainly a child’s life shouldn’t be.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:41 am:
- Nick -
If you think Trump cares for Chicago or African Americans… you can’t be helped.
Be well.
- Nick - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:47 am:
OW,
“If you think Trump cares for Chicago or African Americans… you can’t be helped.”
Oh, so if Donald Trump raises the issue, then it doesn’t deserve consideration or debate?
That’s some flawed logic you are working with. Lightfoot and Pritzker still deserve to be listened to on Covid, even though they each violated their own orders. To the same point, should we make decisions on Covid based on “polling numbers”?
The death of a 3 year old is one that deserves solutions, no matter who raises the topic.
- SSL - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:52 am:
Trump has no chance in Illinois, so why do it? Because it’s easy, gives him a chance to tweak two people who take shots at him regularly, and it can’t be easily fixed so he can keep hammering away at them. Hopefully the violence will slow down, but with the heat of the summer adding to the existing turmoil it may be nothing more than a hope.
I agree with those that recommend JB and LL ask him for help. Get some federal funding and use it well.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:53 am:
==you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens==
That’s pretty rich coming from Donald Trump. That’s been the hallmark of his entire term in office.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:54 am:
==so if Donald Trump raises the issue, then it doesn’t deserve consideration or debate==
I wouldn’t listen to anything Donald Trump says.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:54 am:
=== But to succeed, you must establish law and order.===
Like national guard troops and protesters?
The signaling with this guy never stops.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:57 am:
=== Donald Trump raises the issue, then it doesn’t deserve consideration or debate?===
It’s not that Trump doesn’t care (he doesn’t), it’s pandering while still making it about race.
Trumpkins who ignore Trump’s racist views in crime are fooling themselves.
See: Central Park 5
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 10:58 am:
Trump can’t offer help on one hand and on the other peddle and profit from racism and police brutality. It doesn’t work that way. Violence is a national problem, but Trump never attacks violent white people.
- SAP - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:00 am:
COVID claimed the lives of 15 Illinoisans yesterday, which is the lowest figure in 3 months, but is still higher than the number of lives claimed by gun violence. Mr. Trump, if you are serious about saving lives, promote mask wearing.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:02 am:
=== however, these substantial sums of taxpayer money are not being turned into results, and the safety of your most vulnerable communities continues to deteriorate.===
Not true. Homicides in 2016 were 771, 2017 were 660, 2018 were 564 and 2019 were 490. How is an almost 40% drop in homicide “continued deterioration?” A 40% drop IS results.
It looks like the money is working. More money will help it work better. Get that checkbook out, Donald.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:03 am:
47 people shot, 16 people killed including 3 children over the weekend in Chicago but let’s ignore the complete failure of our locally elected leaders and virtue signal and shift focus on an unpopular President.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:04 am:
===virtue signal===
You’re this blog’s top expert at that.
- Wire Tap - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:04 am:
For a guy who supposedly is offering to help, maybe he can get on a plane to Chicago and discuss the issues. We have McDonalds.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:06 am:
Not only have the Mayor and Governor not done a single thing to slow the violence, it sort of appears some of their actions have led to an increase.
- Jocko - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:06 am:
If DJT really wants to help, he should put Mayor Lightfoot in touch with the ‘top police officer’ he spoke with back in August 2016.
https://tinyurl.com/zeroh7x
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:06 am:
==but let’s ignore the complete failure==
But enough about President Trump . . .
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:07 am:
=== appears some of their actions have led to an increase.===
Example?
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:12 am:
== The death of a 3 year old is one that deserves solutions, no matter who raises the topic.==
The 3 year old died because God gave people free will. And someone used that free will to kill a child.
But it’s so nice of you to profit off that poor boy’s death to make a political point.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:12 am:
Hey, whatever happened to that Chicago cop who told President Trump exactly how to solve the violence problem in Chicago? Maybe the President can at least share that advice with the Mayor and Governor. I mean, if he really wanted the violence to stop. I mean also, if that conversation actually took place.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:24 am:
releasing 64 inmates convicted of murder,IMO, sends the wrong message.
- Bob - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:26 am:
Lightfoot may not want leadership lessons from the President but she needs to get some lessons somewhere.
- Pundent - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:26 am:
=Not only have the Mayor and Governor not done a single thing to slow the violence, it sort of appears some of their actions have led to an increase.=
What increase? Curious that as the deaths attributed to COVID-19 continue to rise that the President would focus on Chicago.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2019/12/30/21043526/chicago-homicides-murders-2019-decline
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:28 am:
=== releasing 64 inmates convicted of murder,IMO, sends the wrong message.===
Explain.
Also…
===actions===
Mayor Lightfoot didn’t release any prisoners… so there’s that.
Other examples?
- All this - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:29 am:
== releasing 64 inmates convicted of murder,IMO, sends the wrong message.==
Released because they were already the end of their sentences.
No one who killed someone robbing a gas station was thinking “Oh if I get caught it will only be 20 years minus a few months off for a global pandemic.”
- dbk - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:32 am:
Depends on what Trump’s administration has on offer. For me (I’m no pol, just a concerned Illinoisan), the smartest thing would be to call his bluff and ask for - oh, say, $10-$20 billion to completely rebuild the South and West Sides economically. Start-ups, guaranteed home loan programs, massive Title I funding to transform every school into a full-service community school, etc. The list of needs is very, very long.
The silence would be deafening, but honestly, that’s what the South and West Sides most desperately need - the ultimate culprit here is grinding poverty, severely exacerbated by Covid-19’s disproportionate mortality rates for Blacks.
The minute I saw the report from last weekend and the 3-year-old (and a 13-year-old girl) who were killed, I thought “Uh-oh, the Pres is gonna be all over this.” This past weekend a 20-month-old boy was killed in a drive-by in Englewood.
I’ve started following Ja’Mal Green, and he’s pretty much understood the underlying factors.
P.S. That letter probably came from Stephen Miller’s office.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:47 am:
Deep breath indeed. Until the mayor and the governor either demonstrate some ability to stop the murder of babies, teens and adults on their own they should shut up and accept help. If they cared about lives then they would welcome help because if it worked lives are saved and if it doesn’t they can use it to blame Trump. But they are more concerned with politics than saving lives. Deep Breath exhaled.
- Typical - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:50 am:
So Trump doesn’t care about the black community, yet he got criminal justice reform passed, established opportunity zones in black communities and ensured annual funding for all black colleges. Three things Biden and Obama never did. Like Sen Tim Scott said, the Dems just want to have an issue against Trump instead of solve the problems. Dems have been in charge, yet nothing ever changes in the big cities.
- no_antonio - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:51 am:
What solutions are the mayor and Governor proposing to decrease the violence?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:53 am:
=== What solutions are the …===
Yeah.
I’m gonna stop ya right there.
Trump took it upon himself to write the letter.
Keep up.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:56 am:
=== yet he got criminal justice reform passed===
Did the White House support the George Floyd Bill passed in the House?
Why or why not.
Also explain The Central Park 5, and Trump’s position *to this day*
Thanks.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:58 am:
==So Trump doesn’t care about the black community,==
I think that’s a safe bet. He re-tweeted one of his supporters yelling “white power” this weekend. That’s an odd way of caring.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 11:59 am:
Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Atlanta all have seen large upticks in shootings and violence this summer - no similar letter? Not even a tweet? 🤔
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
Foxx has asked for a fully funded witness protection program. But this has to be implemented by the state legislature. Members of the executive branch can’t make this happen. They can only ask.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/dahleen-glanton/ct-dahleen-glanton-treja-kelley-witness-protection-20190918-hc45yrjqevep3dsmmxmvhzlpdu-story.html
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:06 pm:
could someone list the accomplishments the mayor and governor have done to slow the violence.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:09 pm:
“Strike Two”
=== could someone list…===
Trump wrote the letter, unprovoked, as his administration has declined to support the George Floyd bill… but decided to write a letter.
Did you forget?
Mayor Lightfoot didn’t release any prisoners… so there’s that.
Other examples?
Thanks.
- Pundent - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:14 pm:
=could someone list the accomplishments the mayor and governor have done to slow the violence.=
You claim, despite evidence to the contrary, that Pritzker and Lightfoot’s actions have increased violence and now we’re supposed to educate you?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:21 pm:
===now we’re supposed to educate you? ===
lol
Same as it ever was with some folks.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
On Lightfoot, I believe Crains 2019 editorial says it all. Her ‘actions’ are defined by her ‘inaction’.
Convicted criminals who used a gun during the act should never get an early release.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:30 pm:
===I believe Crains 2019 editorial says it all.===
(Sigh)
You had no opinion until Crain’s had an opinion?
You wrote this;
=== appears some of their actions have led to an increase.===
Now it’s the “inactions” are the actions?
Are you making all this up as you go along or are you as bereft of actual convictions and facts as you appear?
I’m done feeding you. You are truly clueless to your own beliefs. It’s too easy and not worth the typing to go any further.
Good luck.
- Fly like an eagle - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:30 pm:
==Until the mayor and the governor either demonstrate some ability to stop the murder of babies, teens and adults on their own they should shut up and accept help.==
Where did you read they aren’t accepting any help? I’m a news junkie and I never read that.
- Mayo sandwich - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
How does a person who is so soft on crime accuse others of being soft on crime? He pardons murderers and grifters, he pressured the justice department to overturn Floyd’s conviction, he signed the first step act, and he has routinely fired anyone who is investigating him. He made no effort to stop the bounty hunting of his own soldiers. Enough already.
- Mayo sandwich - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
Not Floyd, Flynn, Michael Flynn. Banned word spellcheck.
- illinois_citizen - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:48 pm:
is the issue that President Trump wrote the letter or is it the violence that is occurring in Chicago?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 12:53 pm:
=== is the issue that President Trump wrote…===
The issue is clear;
If you are honest and know Trump has no belief in this issue and is trolling and signaling to his base, the rest is how pathetic of an attempt this letter is in deflecting the failure of Covid-19 and Trump’s own repeated responses to Black Lives Matter that are dividing the country.
Again, explain Trump’s take, even now, to the Central Park 5 and pair that to this letter.
=== you must establish law and order.===
This letter is not what you think it is
- Pundent - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:05 pm:
= is the issue that President Trump wrote the letter=
These are defining times in our history and Trump’s presidency. That he chose this moment to write this letter while simultaneously ignoring or exacerbating the problems we currently face as a nation is the issue. That he would look to “solve” this problem while seemingly being incapable of solving, or even acknowledging, so many other current problems is the issue.
- dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:13 pm:
Wrong OW. The Dems refused to work with Sen Tim Scott because they wanted an election issue not fix the problem.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:15 pm:
Trump got permanent funding for black colleges, prison reform and enterprise zones done . The Dems never did. Just ask Sen Scott
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:21 pm:
=== Wrong===
No. What’s wrong is deciding banning choke holds and a national registry of bad cops is too far, like the Trumpkins said.
The only way that silliness makes sense… is if you feel choke holds shouldn’t be banned and a national registry for bad cops is “too far”.
Trumpkins believe in “law and order”… that includes protecting bad cops from a registry preventing them from working and this need to not “fully ban” choke holds that kill people.
I appreciate them showing who they are, sure, but if you think that’s too far too…
- illinois_citizen - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:27 pm:
I must respectfully disagree when or why he wrote the letter in my opinion is irrelevant. Not that I disagree with anyone’s issues with his writing of the letter I just believe the real issue is the violence occurring in Chicago. If you are a family member or are one of the victims of this senseless violence I am certain you do not care who points it out.
- City Zen - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:27 pm:
Guessing Kim Foxx won’t be running on a reduction in the homicide rate this election cycle.
- Fly like an eagle - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:29 pm:
=== What solutions are the mayor and Governor proposing to decrease the violence?===
You have access to Capital Fax but not to Google?
The mayor is adding 1500 police to work this week. And this from the WTTW: Six months into her first term, Lightfoot has taken steps toward fulfilling her progressive vision. She has carved out a new public safety office to elevate public health approaches to curbing violence, and stacked her administration with experts renowned for their work on community-based violence prevention programs and police reform, earning plaudits from anti-violence activists. She supports a crackdown on repeat gun offenders.
Pritzker signed a bill to legalize marijuana, he also signed a bill removing the statute of limitations for sex crimes. Pritzker unveiled a program to offer unemployed people free job training with online classes. He also signed a bill allowing arrest warrants to be signed electronically. He signed a bill extending Medicaid benefits to human trafficking victims. He signed a bill strengthening the ability of law enforcement to access National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:35 pm:
Wrong again OW. Chokeholds were only allowed if no other alternative in a struggle. Even more, Sen Scott said he put in a lot of what they asked for and would continue to negotiate. Dems votes Not to negotiate. Wouldn’t even let it get to a debate
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:37 pm:
I see you ignored what Trump did for permanent funding for black colleges and enterprise zones
- ajjacksson - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:39 pm:
I have twins at home that constantly bicker over who should take out the garbage, mow the lawn, empty the dishwasher, etc. I don’t really care who does it, I just want the job done.
I’m tired of the bickering between President, Governor, and Mayor. You can all do better. Do your job and stop arguing with each other. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’s tired of the arguing–whether it’s Covid, violence, etc.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm:
Let us all know what you would do if you were attacked and only had a chokehold to get out of it. I guess that means you’ll do nothing then. Nobody is advocating for the choke hold used on George Floyd
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm:
=== Wrong again===
LOL… this is good…
===were only allowed===
So they *weren’t* banned. So you *can* choke someone.
You think that good? Hmm.
===Sen Scott said he put in a lot of what they asked for and would continue to negotiate.===
Friend, you blur on the bill, not on “intentions”
If Mr. Scott wanted something in the bill, he’d add it.
Ignoring the national police registry AND not fully banning choke holds… then scream “law and order”… lots of protections for bad cops in that Scott Senate bill.
Keep up.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm:
=== I see you ignored what Trump did for permanent funding for black colleges and enterprise zones===
I was too busy trying to figure out why Trump would tweet a video with “white power” in it.
Ok, my turn…
I see you ignored the Central Park 5 history…
Lemme guess, you think Trump isn’t racist.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm:
To ajjackson, the Dems just care about elections, not solving problems. Otherwise, why don’t they work with Trump to fix things? Because they know they can just steamroll over Biden to get what they want.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
That’s right OW. Don’t work to solve problems. Don’t get all tat you want then take your ball and go home. What’s it like to live in your fantasy land far away from the crime in Chicago? We all don’t have that luxury
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:46 pm:
=== not solving problems===
I’m still confused.
Not banning choke holds solving problems?
Refusing to have a national registry of bad cops is solving problems?
Huh.
But “law and order”, amirite?
- R A T - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:47 pm:
The Tribune could not be more wrong. If you ask Trump for help, he will just brag that they need his help while providing no help. Has he ever helped someone he has offered to help?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:49 pm:
=== Don’t work to solve problems. Don’t get all tat you want then take your ball and go home.===
LOL.
Not wholly banning chokeholds and stopping a national registry to get rid of bad cops is too far for Trumpkins?
Yikes, man. That’s a pretty pathetic, being against those things.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:49 pm:
Again , please tell us how to disarm a criminal if you have no alternative to a choke hold??? Should they just ask pretty please??? Again, nobody condones what happened to Floyd and it should never happen again
- logic not emotion - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:50 pm:
Prior to the COVID situation, minorities had far better employment, income, and other numbers under Trump than under Obama. I think Trump could make an excellent and truthful case that he has accomplished far more for minorities in 3 years than Obama did in 8 years.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:51 pm:
Plus nobody voted against it. The Dems would not even allow a bill to come to the floor to negotiate. Now who’s playing politics?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:56 pm:
===how to disarm a criminal if you have no alternative to a choke hold?===
https://www.policemag.com/547328/front-waistband-disarming-with-police-krav-maga
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 1:58 pm:
== why don’t they work with Trump==
You’re kidding right?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:02 pm:
=== please tell us how to disarm a criminal if you have no alternative to a choke hold??===
I hope you aren’t a cop.
George Floyd was unarmed…
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:05 pm:
Rich, I agree with you. Sen Scott was willing to talk as well. Visit his website and see what he said. The Dems would not even keep talking.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:06 pm:
=== Plus nobody voted against it. The Dems would not even allow a bill to come to the floor to negotiate.===
Senate rules require 60
This isn’t Facebook, your ignorance to things is like procedure isn’t helping
How is a registry of bad cops a non-starter?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:07 pm:
=== Sen Scott was willing to talk as well. Visit his website and see what he said. The Dems would not even keep talking===
Not banning choke holds? That’s not negotiating in good faith.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:08 pm:
Yes Willy , l know it’s 60. The vote was procedural to initiate legislation, not vote on final legislation. Go educate yourself
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:10 pm:
=== l know it’s 60.===
If you know that, and with no provision for a national registry of bad cops and no banning of choke holds, why have a vote.
In most ways it was feckless, and protecting bad cops and procedures.
- PublicServant - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:10 pm:
Trump didn’t write that. Way longer than a tweet, which is about the only thing his attention span can muster. And he doesn’t even do that well.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:12 pm:
=== Go educate yourself===
… says the guy who wrote this?
=== please tell us how to disarm a criminal if you have no alternative to a choke hold??===
“Ok”… lemme guess, you knew it couldn’t get 60 but you’re glad it showed “politics”
Whew.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 2:25 pm:
==Rich, I agree with you==
Then why did you say this:
” please tell us how to disarm a criminal if you have no alternative to a choke hold???”
So, it appears that no, you don’t agree with him.
Keep your stories straight.
- Dejected person - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:41 pm:
I agree there are other ways that can be taught but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a situation that calls for the use of one. Every body has a plan, until they get hit.
To OW, so it’s better to get 100% of nothing rather than over 70% of something. Good politics. Dems just won’t give Trump any sort of victory and are willing to let the people continue to suffer as Sen Scott said.
In return, the violence in the city continues and the Dems deflect on Trump because they are unable to solve it
- 17% Solution - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
==Depends on what Trump’s administration has on offer. For me (I’m no pol, just a concerned Illinoisan), the smartest thing would be to call his bluff and ask for - oh, say, $10-$20 billion to completely rebuild the South and West Sides economically.==
dbk, you’re that top cop Trump was referencing?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:51 pm:
=== so it’s better to get 100% of nothing rather than over 70% of something===
No.
It’s better to not protect bad police officers and stop fatal choke holds and not cave in to a watered down version.
Now is the time, not to protect institutional and systemic racism because of a bill that does ZERO to effect the needed change.
These are moments to pick sides.
Traitors don’t need statues.
Protecting police from accountability isn’t helping America.
Those willing to say “but let’s compromise” are ignoring Mississippi changing its state flag…
It’s always a good time to do the right thing.
Now, if you’re against banning choke holds and against a national police registry… you’re on the wrong side, and why it’s needed now more than ever change like statues falling, flags removed, and Black Lives Matter.
The time for 70% was hundreds of years ago.
Go check out what Coach K has to say.
=== In return, the violence in the city continues..===
The violence that started this change was police officers chocking to death a man who begged for his mother and said he couldn’t breath.
You mean *that* systemic violence found too often?
- Fly like an eagle - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:51 pm:
==so it’s better to get 100% of nothing rather than over 70% of something. Good politics.==
According to who? Who is saying Chicago should get 100% of nothing? You have a link?
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
==that doesn’t mean there isn’t a situation that calls for the use of one==
If you are arguing to protect the use of choke holds then you are:
(1) Making a losing argument in trying to justify police brutality
(2) Just as tone deaf about the current situation as the President
- Demoralized - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 3:55 pm:
==Dems just won’t give Trump any sort of victory ==
And you really gotta stop playing such a victim
- Frank talks - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 4:59 pm:
JB and Lori worked on the McCormick place hospital during Covid. They’ve shown working with the Feds can be accomplished. Even after fighting with Trump.
I think you can utilize Federal resources without kowtowing to Trump. Lori is a former Federal prosecutor, I’m sure she has folks that can work with her in the system and vice versa?
Just a thought.
- Layla Land - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:14 pm:
Hey Willy, the violence in Chicago didn’t just start after Floyd’s death. Typical bubble living liberal to not have a clue in reality. All the shooting deaths the last several years was probably the cops fault as well. Wow
- West side - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:16 pm:
Hey demoralized. The victims are the people on the west side here since the Dems want to politicize this issue.
- West side - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:19 pm:
I believe Ocasio-Cortez was quoted in saying we need to stay shutdown for Covid longer so not to give Trump a victory on the economy. The Dems are playing with people on more than one issue
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:25 pm:
== Hey Willy, the violence in Chicago didn’t just start after Floyd’s death. Typical bubble living liberal to not have a clue in reality.==
Did you make a wrong right turn at Albuquerque? Willy’s a Republican.
===All the shooting deaths the last several years was probably the cops fault as well.===
Strawman argument. Nobody made that argument.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:26 pm:
=== the violence in Chicago didn’t just start after Floyd’s death===
No, George Floyd’s murder is bringing change.
Please keep up.
=== bubble living liberal ===
Reagan/Bush/Bush Republican
Not a Trump zealot.
If you are not for change after George Floyd’s murder, you’re part of the problem.
=== All the shooting deaths the last several years was probably the cops fault===
Not one person has said that, but denying systemic and institutional racism has been around. You know it… and yet…
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 5:29 pm:
West side, when something sounds absurd fact check it please . Took me two seconds on Google.
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-aoc-tweet/fact-check-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-did-not-tweet-that-governors-should-keep-businesses-closed-to-prevent-trumps-re-election-idUSKBN23V32A
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 6:22 pm:
=The Dems are playing with people on more than one issue=
When you reference a story that’s easily debunked it doesn’t help your argument.
- Biker - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 9:17 pm:
Been a while since I checked in. Thanks OW for taking care of things. Let’s make some things happen.
- Latina - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 9:31 pm:
-Oswego Willy- If you think President Trump likes black people?? Pritzker is on FBI tapes calling them “offensive “. Can’t imagine what he really thinks about brown people. Hmmm
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 9:41 pm:
=== Pritzker is===
Between his Lt. Governor, staff and crew, how his policies and involvement with minorities, and given how when voters had a choice to vote on that FBI tape, Pritzker still carried the Black voters convincingly (after the ads too)…
Your feign concern is comically sad and ignorant to existing proofs.
“Other than that”…
- All this - Monday, Jun 29, 20 @ 9:57 pm:
== Pritzker is on FBI tapes calling [blacks] offensive.”==
Pritzker didn’t call black people “offensive.” He said White was the least offensive (compared with some other unnamed black politicians). That’s bad of course, but you needn’t be dishonest about what was said.