* August 25…
Former Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey appeared on [Fox 32’s] “ChicagoLIVE” to discuss the potential deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. In response to a video by Gov. Pritzker showcasing the city’s lakefront as alleged proof of the city’s niceness, Bailey challenged him to visit neighborhoods such as Englewood.
* September 5 press release…
On Friday, Gov. Pritzker met with case managers and victim advocates at Public Equity in Englewood, an organization that identifies local individuals at immediate or high risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of gun violence, and mediates existing and potential violent incidents. Known as “trusted messengers” in the community, Public Equity’s outreach staff believes community members are the experts on their neighborhoods and that genuine relationships with the community are crucial to mitigating violence.
Local collaboration is the key to success with intervening in the systemic cycle of violence, and Illinois has a number of CVI programs and partners with a clear track record of success and resources. The Peacekeepers program sends trained community members out to de-escalate and mitigate conflicts in the most violent hotspots in the city. Those interventions were found to have decreased shootings 41% in program areas, with a 31% decrease in the surrounding community.
* CWB…
Less than a week before a crash-and-grab burglary crew killed an innocent man on the Magnificent Mile last Thursday, one of the men now charged with that murder donned a “peacekeeper” uniform and posed for a one-on-one picture with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
While that’s troubling, some law enforcement experts are more concerned that the accused man was able to stand directly next to the state’s most powerful executive despite having outstanding warrants in four states. […]
That press release also included a photo of McMiller posing with Pritzker, but it was quickly removed after officials learned that he was being charged in connection with Arceta’s death. Despite its removal, the image remained accessible on Google until earlier this week.
Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel is skeptical about the effectiveness of “peacekeeping” programs and called the governor’s advance team “incompetent” for allowing Pritzker to pose at an anti-violence event with a man wanted in four states.
You simply can’t possibly vet everyone who wants to take a pic with a governor at events, particularly events like this where many of the participants have past criminal records.
But, hey, it’s definitely a gotcha moment for Pritzker…
* ILGOP…
“The governor can continue to grandstand about President Trump’s initiatives to tackle crime in cities, but he is proving President Trump right everyday with the show of complete incompetence he puts on display,” said ILGOP Chair Kathy Salvi. “Governor Pritzker would rather do a photo op with fugitives to bolster his leftist bona fides than do the work it takes to even figure out if his previous anti-violence programs he’s funding funds are being co-opted by law breakers. This story is a disgrace to Illinois and an indictment of Governor Pritzker’s leadership.”
* Pritzker administration response…
The Governor meets hundreds of people in communities every week and is often asked to take photos. We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
The Governor will keep doing everything in his power to fight crime, keep our neighborhoods safe, and support community violence intervention, which have been proven to work. For example, the Peacekeepers Program has a strong track record reducing violent crime by 41% over the past two years and providing community members with a path towards rehabilitation.
…Adding… Chicago CRED and Metropolitan Peace Initiatives…
In response to an online story about a “peacekeeper” allegedly involved in a crime, we share the following statement on behalf of the community violence intervention sector.
Chicago just had its safest summer in 60- years, in part because of initiatives like the Peacekeepers Program. Under the program, we intentionally recruit individuals who are closely connected to people at very high risk of shooting or being shot to help prevent shootings at many of the most violent locations in the city and suburbs. While they are not technically CVI staff, we train and manage them and provide them with a modest stipend.
A study from Northwestern University shows that Peacekeepers have intervened in thousands of disputes that could have escalated into violence and helped negotiate dozens of peace agreements among street factions that are contributing to public safety. In fact, the areas where Peacekeepers are active saw a 41% drop in gun violence.
Today, over 1300 men and women work in the Peacekeepers program, serving 31 Chicago neighborhoods and nine Cook County suburbs. Because many of them are justice-involved individuals who have experienced severe violence-related trauma, they sometimes make poor choices that can lead to tragic consequences. With that in mind, we are constantly enhancing our screening practices and additional supports. But the Peacekeepers Program remains a vital and effective component of Chicago’s public safety strategy, and we are deeply grateful to the State of Illinois for its support.
- Comfy critter - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:09 pm:
If they wanted to prevent this man from ever getting close to pritzker they should have said he was a lobbyist.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:12 pm:
Speaking of people who have committed felony crimes
==Former Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey appeared on [Fox 32’s] “ChicagoLIVE”==
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
“Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel is skeptical about the effectiveness of “peacekeeping” programs and called the governor’s advance team “incompetent” for allowing Pritzker to pose at an anti-violence event with a man wanted in four states.”
It’s definitely Pritzker’s fault that this not-hiding criminal wanted by departments in four states was loose. JB should have investigated and arrested him, exactly as any republican governor would.
- don the legend - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
I can’t get too upset with this picture when all the oncoming posters attacking JB are ok with all the pictures of our Commander in Chief with the Pedophile in Chief.
- Irreverent - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:16 pm:
Bet there aren’t any pictures of him with Epstein.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
https://www.wglt.org/politics-and-government/2023-06-15/mulling-run-for-congress-farmer-bailey-sows-seeds-for-support-from-indicted-trump-its-an-honor-to-stand-with-this-man
Bailey knowing stands with indicted man. Pritzker unknowingly stands with indicted man.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:21 pm:
The King of England just had his picture taken with a felon.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
===they should have said he was a lobbyist.===
That’s really good.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:39 pm:
=Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel=
Same guy that praised Trump, a convicted felon.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:43 pm:
It’s not exactly Roslyn Carter posing with John Gacy.
Anyone who’s met violence interrupters has probably met convicted felons. What this guy did is inexcusable and he’ll have to answer for it.
In today’s political climate, this is giving the Governor’s opponents a ready-made club to whack him with repeatedly. It doesn’t bother me that our Governor isn’t afraid to stand with violence interrupters and peace keepers, but the MAGA and white nationalist crowd is going to have a field day with this one.
- James of Little Italy - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:45 pm:
I am looking forward to some accountability for Public Equity in Englewood. Somebody(s) isn’t doing their job.
- Trinity - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
I love how Republicans just love to crucify people for association by pic when Ted Bundy was a delegate at the ‘68 Republican convention & worked on Evans gubernatorial campaign in ‘72.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:50 pm:
Tom Weitzel was shot in the line of duty, but he spent the bulk of his career as police chief of a small suburb and he doesn’t know much about urban issues, despite his regular willingness to speak about them.
- Delbert - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 12:58 pm:
I’m just glad the guy is wearing a fluorescent safety vest.
- 40,000 ft - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:01 pm:
The bigger issue, that makes us all unsafe, is why is a man wanted in four states allowed to keep committing crimes?
It sounds like State 2, State 3, and State 4 were allowing a “predator” to continue to roam, until an innocent man died on Mag Mile, boldly posing as a peacekeeper, and made Gov Pritzker look bad.
How is this acceptable?
- Ca-HOON - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
The GOP lost the right to lecture anybody for associating with criminals the second they bent the knee to convicted felon Donald Trump.
- JB13 - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:26 pm:
The Greatest Governor in History of GoverningTM poses with a man who is wanted in four different states, tells everyone that people like THIS GUY are proof that Chicago is great and needs no help with the non-existent crime problem, and then SAME GUY a few days later is part of a high profile gang robbery on the Mag Mile that results in an innocent man being killed on his way to work, just before his wife gives birth, and then the governor’s people try to scrub the pic from the internet.
Just to be clear.
But yeah something something something Trump and Weitzel.
Never change, friends.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:27 pm:
I’ve met the Gov (and other electeds and candidates) at various events and had my picture taken with him several times. Not once did anyone ask my name, let alone do a full background check. Same goes for everyone else at those events. Heck, they even let Rich Miller get close enough to ask a question (and someone may have gotten a photo).
The ILGOP should know better that to make a thing of this; how many of their leaders do background checks before allowing photos?
I sure hope we don’t end up with a battle of the photos when we should be discussing policy. Although, I do realize that a policy discussion would be detrimental to the Bailey campaign.
- Politix - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:34 pm:
“Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel…”
…is skeptical about any modern EVIDENCE-BASED strategy to deter crime and violence and rebuild communities. He resigned his post and moved to FL at the height of the BLM movement and has promoted his antiquated takes on policing anywhere he can ever since.
- NotRich - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
That Chicago CRED statement. “They sometimes make poor choices”??? Jesus
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:40 pm:
===But yeah something something something Trump===
The point is that politicians often get their pics taken with unsavory types.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-photo-mobster-surfaces-day-174510092.html
- Dallas - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:41 pm:
I’m more interested in McMiller’s story and background than I am in yet another bad faith republican argument
- Nope. - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:45 pm:
Weitzel is a goof. Matt Buckley is Chief of Riverside now. Maybe ask his opinion? You know, because he’s actually the police
- SOIL M - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:48 pm:
The picture doesn’t bother me. Things like that happen at public events.
What does bother me is that a man with outstanding warrants like that was able to be in the room with the Governor. That should have been vetted and wasn’t.
I am not a fan of Pritzker, but accept that he is still the Governor, and should have better security around him.
I see this as a security failure not Pritzkers. Support him or not, he still should be better protected.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:51 pm:
===That should have been vetted===
By whom?
- City Zen - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 1:52 pm:
==Ted Bundy was a delegate at the ‘68 Republican==
You have possession of a Wayback Machine and wasted it on this?
- Huh? - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:23 pm:
Pritzker goes to an event at Public Equity and takes a picture with a wanted criminal.
Who let the criminal into the office?
It’s not on Pritzker. It is on Public Equity.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:26 pm:
=But yeah something something something Trump and Weitzel.=
Just to be clear.
Pritzker is not a convicted (or even indicted) felon.
But yeah something something something Pritzker and a picture.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:32 pm:
==with the non-existent crime problem==
Opposing a military invasion is not the same as saying there is no crime problem.
- Next Level - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:47 pm:
=I’m just glad the guy is wearing a fluorescent safety vest.=
Safety first!
- SOIL M - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:50 pm:
Rich–
Ultimate responsibility falls on his security detail. They are the ones responsible for his safety and security at all times. With that said, they can assign tasks related to that to other parties, whether that is local authorities and / or private groups or entities where public appearances happen. But even if they rely on others to do the vetting for them, and something goes wrong, they are who is responsible. Even though I disagree with the majority of what he says, I still think he deserves top of the line protection.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 2:58 pm:
===Ultimate responsibility falls on his security detail===
His security detail is not responsible for a political flap.
- Norseman - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 3:06 pm:
This is a mole hill hoping to become a mountain. I’m fairly confident that most of JB’s MAGA opponents will have been in pictures with a felon.
- Occasionally Moderated - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 3:12 pm:
Caption contest anyone?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 3:15 pm:
=Caption contest anyone?=
“JB tries to get in on MAGA fun by taking a picture with a felon.”
- Occasionally Moderated - Thursday, Sep 18, 25 @ 3:21 pm:
“Gov’s event results in capture of felon”
And if I knew the gov personally I would be ribbing him about how he has too much on his plate to be catching bad guys too