* NBC 5…
With a grand jury decision expected any day in Breonna Taylor’s death in Louisville, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has put the Illinois National Guard into a “state of readiness” in the event of any unrest in Chicago or in other parts of the state.
According to a statement from Pritzker’s office, additional Illinois State Police troopers will also be available if needed in the aftermath of the grand jury’s decision in the Taylor case.
“The governor and (Chicago Mayor Lori) Lightfoot met this morning and are in regular communication, and the governor has spoken with leaders across the state,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. “As the governor has always said, all of the state’s resources are available to municipalities if needed, and this includes additional Illinois State Police troopers and the National Guard.
“The governor is putting the Guard in a state of readiness to ensure they are available if municipalities request their assistance,” the statement continued.
* Tribune…
A source said more than 100 Guard members are preparing.
If needed to respond, the Guard members would fall under the direction of the state police, just as they were when they helped during civil unrest in Chicago following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on Memorial Day.
The deaths of Taylor and Floyd sparked outrage in Louisville, Minneapolis and other U.S. cities, leading to protests and a renewed national conversation about systemic racism and law enforcement’s treatment of Black Americans. But cities including Chicago also endured looting and other civil unrest.
On Tuesday, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared a state of emergency as the city awaits state Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s decision. The declaration gives the mayor the authority to impose curfews and other restrictions if necessary.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Stay tuned…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) issued the following statement in reaction to Detective Brett Hankinson being charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree in the murder of Breonna Taylor in her Louisville apartment on March 13. No charges were brought against Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, the other two officers involved in the shooting.
“It is impossible to express the weight of the injustices and cruelty carried out against the Black community throughout the history of our country. When an officer can justify the murder of Breonna Taylor as legal, moral and ethical, then walk away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist, there can be no doubt that Black women do not matter in our country today.
“The pain, anger and frustration of this grand jury decision runs deep in every fiber of my being because it is a personal attack on my humanity as a Black woman and on all the Black women I hold dear to me. Breonna Taylor deserved to live, as do all of us.
“I ask for those who feel the need to unleash their hurt today to do so without destruction. Our communities have been struggling to survive for far too long and cannot afford more loss. We need to continue our fight in unity and power. Do not concede any points to those against our movement when they are just waiting to find a reason to continue justifying their racism and cruelty.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** CBS2…
“A miscarriage of justice.”
That’s how Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described the decision to indict an officer with “wanton endangerment” in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor. He was joined by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in addressing Wednesday’s indictment and future protests that may occur.
They urged peaceful protests. At 7:00 Wednesday night, Lightfoot said there will citywide moment of silence for the memory of Taylor. Lightfoot added “I encourage you to say her name.”
She added that the city is “ready” for the protests.
“We’re going to do everything we can to protect and support peaceful expression of First Amendment rights. But as we’ve seen people step over the line, we’ll be ready and we are ready to address that with the appropriate level of response,” Lightfoot said.
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 8:32 am:
=== I thought this happened in Louisville, Kentucky?===
…death in Louisville, Illinois Governor…
Read the comma.
- Countrygirl - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 8:35 am:
Punctuation is important.
- Quenton Cassidy - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 9:08 pm:
Ten Governor and any others who choose to criticize the grand jury’s decision for political reasons would do well to consider two things….
First, pandering to your base in this manner ratchets up the likelihood of the violence you say you oppose.
Second, you weren’t in the room, didn’t hear the evidence, and don’t know all of the facts. Don’t be so arrogant so as to assume you can competently replace your judgement for the jury’s.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 9:17 pm:
- Quenton Cassidy -
So you agree with the finding of the Grand Jury?
It’s a yes of no question.
- Two to tango - Thursday, Sep 24, 20 @ 11:19 am:
== First, pandering to your base in this manner ratchets up the likelihood of the violence you say you oppose.==
“Pandering to your base?” The elected officials reacted to what happened.
You know what makes people mad? Not anything Pritzker or any other elected official said, the fact that an innocent person died and there is no justice, we have justice for some and not others.
“Likelihood of violence.” What makes people violent is the absence of hope that anything will change. What Pritzker and others said give some hope.
But it takes more than words. Pritzker needs to follow through and ask for the Illinois legislation for reforms.