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Unclear on the concept

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* Press release…

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge and Labor Council salute all working men and women in the state of Illinois this Labor Day, particularly the law enforcement officers, emergency telecommunicators and corrections officers who will be on duty to help make the holiday safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“These law enforcement officers take no holidays so others can enjoy theirs,” said FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood. “This Labor Day, take a moment to appreciate the work that law enforcement officers do that maintains and protects our society, where people of all backgrounds are free to advocate for higher wages, better benefits, safe workplaces, and fair treatment on the job.”

“Remember the courage and dedication of those who put on the badge every day in one of the nation’s most dangerous and demanding jobs,” said FOP Labor Council Executive Director David Wickster. “Let’s honor their service by celebrating the workers who built this great nation and keep it running, and make sure everyone’s right to fair compensation for an honest day’s work is never diminished.”

* But the Chicago FOP has a different holiday idea

As Chicago police battle surging violence, the union representing rank-and-file officers continues to urge officers not to work overtime shifts over Labor Day weekend.

The request from the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police comes as the city is reeling from 86 homicides in August, the deadliest month in 20 years.

The FOP has been calling for the boycott since late July, and the latest memo sent Wednesday to its 10,000 rank-and-file officers declared Friday through Monday as “FOP Unity Days” and urged officers to spend time with their families. […]

In a brief telephone interview Wednesday, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told the Tribune he was confident staffing levels for the Labor Day weekend would be adequate. He didn’t take issue with the union’s message but called on officers to stay united. […]

If the department falls short on the number of officers needed to work overtime this weekend, Johnson said, he’d cancel days off for some officers, a common move by officials over holiday weekends during the summer.

* The Second City Cop blog reported the other day that some days off have already been canceled

Days off Cancelled for All District Tact Teams, Area Saturation Teams, Gun Teams, Gang Enforcement Teams and Summer Mobile for the Labor Day weekend

* Meanwhile, as I was watching Charlie Rose the other night, film director Spike Lee told the host that he wanted to see the US Army brought in to Chicago to quell the violence, pointing to the success of Gen. Russel Honoré after Hurricane Katrina. But reports of violence in New Orleans were hugely overblown and Lee should know that, since he did two documentaries on the topic.

I just don’t see how armed troops in the streets will solve this problem. So, I’m in agreement with the governor here

The Republican governor said he had discussed the concept with community leaders, police officers and the National Guard, but that “no thoughtful leader thinks that’s a good idea or would really provide a solution.” […]

“If that means bringing in the National Guard — some people have said, ‘Bring in the National Guard.’ We’ve discussed that. We’ve analyzed it,” Rauner said. “In fact, it may exacerbate the other problems. So, nobody thinks that’s a good idea.”

Calling up the National Guard is an idea that has repeatedly surfaced during the last decade amid Chicago’s persistent gun violence. A change.org petition pushing the idea has accumulated more than 10,000 signatures. On Wednesday, a reporter suggested to Rauner that residents on the South and West sides want the troops brought in.

“Well, see, sometimes, when you get emotional and you say, ‘Well, we’ve got to do something,’ …the reality is, sometimes, something is — actually makes it worse, or something creates other problems,” Rauner said. “You’ve got to think these things through and the implications. And the National Guard right now wouldn’t make sense.”

* And Father Pfleger wants a state of emergency declared

And although Chicago has a lower homicide rate than many other U.S. cities that are smaller in population, the city this year has had more homicides and shooting victims than New York City and Los Angeles combined. The two cities are larger than Chicago’s population of roughly 2.7 million. […]

Earlier Wednesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner ruled out the idea of deploying the National Guard to help combat street violence in the city, saying that to do so would be an “emotional” reaction that “wouldn’t make sense.” At his demonstration, Pfleger demanded the governor instead call for a state of emergency in order to tap federal resources to help deal with Chicago violence.

“When there are fires, we call a state of emergency. When there are hurricanes, a state of emergency. When there’s floods, a state of emergency,” he said. “Well, we have the fire of violence and gunfire. We have the floods of blood in our streets. And we have communities that look like third world countries, that look like it must have had a tornado hit it, or a hurricane.”

What federal money? Illinois couldn’t even get FEMA to help with the devastating tornado damage in Washington.

Nice rhetoric, but I’m just not seeing it unless the President himself gets involved. And then what? Troops? To do what?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:16 am

Comments

  1. Father Pfleger also called for a commission to be formed to analyze the problem. That’ll fix it.

    Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:19 am

  2. ===“Well, see, sometimes, when you get emotional and you say, ‘Well, we’ve got to do something,’ …the reality is, sometimes, something is — actually makes it worse, or something creates other problems,” Rauner said.”===

    Maybe like you and your TA, Bruce?

    Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:21 am

  3. Compare the death tolls - the federal government should step in to support big cities with gun/violence epidemics.

    It’s a public health emergency…

    A related clarification - FEMA did give Individual Assistance to Illinois for families impacted by the Washington tornadoes.

    They (ridiculously, imho) denied the requests for “Public Assistance” - money for local governments.

    Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:26 am

  4. This is rhetoric. I’m suppose to believ the advocates REALLY want martial law? (20 ILCS 1815/36) Officers and enlisted men of the Illinois State Guard shall be, in the absence of a declaration of martial law, in strict subordination to civil authorities. (Source: Laws 1951, p. 1999.)

    Comment by Martial Law,... Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:28 am

  5. Slipping into hyperbole here ““These law enforcement officers take no holidays so others can enjoy theirs,” said FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood.” Really - no holidays? And for those who’d like to have the army in to quell the violence, what would they be doing exactly? Declare martial law and curfew?

    Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:31 am

  6. ===It’s a public health emergency===

    Agreed. And you can’t solve a public health crisis with armed troops.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:34 am

  7. yeah, no, this is a really really bad idea. You just can’t bring in troops like that willy nilly. Katrina was different. Civilian control had been rendered inoperative. That’s why the National Guard was brought in. That’s why Coasties literally followed the hurricane in in their big Chinooks to start rescue. In Chicago the civilian control is still totally intact. You just can’t do that. It would totally violate state sovereignty.

    Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:35 am

  8. Well, precisely. To do what. Look for repeat illegal gun owners and put them in jail for 30 years? Isn’t that what we’ve been doing with drug offenders for decades. How has that worked out?

    And if our political leaders go the military occupation route-what are the criteria for ending it. Could it ever end? And even though most of Chicago is safe (and some rich, mostly white parts are, as we’ve heard often, as safe as Switzerland), how does that occupation look to
    the educated young folks we’d like to move here and have their families. They have a choice in where they live.

    A military occupation is also a huge insult to the CPD and, yes, Mayor Rahm. The CPD needs to fix some things, indeed, a lot of things. But they are not totally inept, as long as there is political and bureaucratic will to stick with the reforms, as other big cities have done. Maybe all this CPD-trashing has gone a bit too far.

    Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:37 am

  9. I cannot believe that I agree with Rauner but I think the Guard will only inflame the issue. Father Pflager is way off base on this topic.

    While the murders are located in 4 or 5 neighborhoods (both South and West sides), I cannot understand how the National Guard could patrol this other than stationing 8 or 10 officers per block and the alleys.

    The numbers are horrid. But, my concern would be that the shooters will just go some other area and shoot people. These guys seem to be tallying up numbers?

    I know 2 people who were in the Washington tornado, lost everything, and didn’t get a cent from the government. One of them is on assistance so it really wiped her out.

    Comment by Belle Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:38 am

  10. No Gifts. A Curfew, and a heavy police presence is exactly what is needed.

    Comment by Saluki Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:40 am

  11. “It’s a public health emergency…”

    Congress can’t even agree on funding for zika. How do you expect them to agree on funding to stop/reduce violence in the big cities of the country?

    Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:43 am

  12. Don’t forget, the NRA lobbied to have restrictions placed on government agencies. They aren’t even allowed to perform studies on whether gun violence is a public health emergency.

    Comment by Delimma Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:49 am

  13. “Troops? To do what?”

    To make it look and feel even more like an occupied colony?

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:51 am

  14. For what it’s worth, FEMA’s denial of public assistance infrastructure funding in the Washington tornado was appropriate under the guidelines of the Federa disaster programs. The damages have to add up to certain established threshold, and if they don’t, then the disaster doesn’t qualify. Technically the President can make exceptions to those rules but that rarely happens these days.

    Now, whether those thresholds are themselves actually appropriate, and whether exceptions should be made, are entirely different questions. But my point is that the decision to not grant Washington public assistance funds was well within the rules and precedent. And I don’t think any federal aid to Chicago for its current violence crisis would flow through the FEMA disaster aid system anyway; I think that would violate that system’s rules, too.

    Comment by Threepwood Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:55 am

  15. Agree troops are not the answer. You may keep homicides down for a short period but long term change is far more difficult.

    The stats are alarming though and Chicago is on pace to reach numbers not seen since 96, 97, 98

    Comment by Generation X Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:55 am

  16. The supposed priest Fr. Pfleger told the head of the Chicago FOP to ‘go to hell’. How is he still a priest? Angelo is a Catholic…Pfleger not so much. Well past time for Pfleger to go. He should publicly apologize.

    Comment by Chicago Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:57 am

  17. “The supposed priest Fr. Pfleger told the head of the Chicago FOP to ‘go to hell’. How is he still a priest?”

    Priests have been telling folks they disagreed with to go to hell for centuries.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:03 pm

  18. unless you want to make parts of Chicago look like Belfast, it’s not going to work.

    And if you think a cop shooting someone has created tensions, wait till some white kid from Southern Illinois lights up a car full of black kids because they didn’t obey the order to stop.

    This has all kinds of ways of going bad and very little upside.

    Comment by Todd Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:03 pm

  19. Just this past week, I heard Garry McCarthy asked, is the gun problem in Chicago, a problem that the NRA must face or is it a legislative problem for the IGA to address? He said the NRA convinced the Black Caucus that stricter sentencing would result in more African Americans serving jail time. And therefore stricter sentencing laws failed to pass.

    I don’t care what color your skin is but convictions for crimes committed with guns should result in more jail time.

    Comment by Higher Ed Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:06 pm

  20. Frustration with the situation in Chicago will continue until one day it finally boils over. On the surface, it was a good call by Rauner. The National Guard (perhaps through no fault of their own) could potentially do further damage to an already fragile situation rather than solve anything. When Spike is elected to a governmental office, then he will be able to call the shots.

    Comment by Farmer John Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:08 pm

  21. Look for repeat illegal gun owners and put them in jail for 30 years? Isn’t that what we’ve been doing with drug offenders for decades. How has that worked out?”

    Yes, we need to do that. There is quite a big difference from “drug offenders” and violent criminals.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:08 pm

  22. Military troops are not teained on non-lethal use of force. They would either be present as impotent observers without tools or training to interceded; or begin using lethal froce to respond to problems.

    not a good idea

    Comment by Ghost Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:11 pm

  23. - Higher Ed - Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:06 pm:

    Just this past week, I heard Garry McCarthy asked, is the gun problem in Chicago, a problem that the NRA must face or is it a legislative problem for the IGA to address? He said the NRA convinced the Black Caucus that stricter sentencing would result in more African Americans serving jail time. And therefore stricter sentencing laws failed to pass.

    I don’t care what color your skin is but convictions for crimes committed with guns should result in more jail time.

    THIS

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:12 pm

  24. My opinions are based on the assumption that there are very normal people and families trying to live in this war zone. They deserve to be heard and protected.

    There have been nearly 500 killed, THIS YEAR.

    This should be treated like the war zone that it is. There is a population of soulless criminals “earning a living ” on the streets in these neighborhoods.

    Why would we not send in “Peacekeepers?”
    Why has it been acceptable for the US to send in “Peacekeepers” into non-US conflicts to protect innocents, but not in this case?
    We claim to be the Peacekeepers of the world but do nothing for our own?

    This abdication of duty to protect the civilian population wreaks of racism. I am sure in my neighborhood it would be being handled differently.

    I wonder what other clergy, besides Pfleger, think about a deterrence force.

    /rant over

    Comment by cdog Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:14 pm

  25. The only way troops could make any real difference is if they went through the city like they did in Iraq or Afghanistan … and that would be a blatant violation of the Constitution

    Comment by titan Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:15 pm

  26. After Katrina, New Orlean’s crime rate decreased dramatically. Cities which brought in refugees to the storm saw dramatic increases in crime rate.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:17 pm

  27. Pfleger just likes the attention he gets by saying outrageous things. He’ll say or do anything to get his face on TV.

    Comment by Just Me Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:19 pm

  28. Its a crisis, but its hard to see a short term fix.

    This doesn’t improve without some level of trust between the neighborhoods and the force. I almost said rebuilding trust, but it has been gone far too long to matter.

    I wonder if it can be done without rebuilding the force from ground up.

    @ Chicago, Do you believe the FOP has done anything that builds rather than undermines trust in the force?

    Comment by Fred Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:25 pm

  29. McCarthy is once again talking out his backside. He wasn’t there for 99.9% of it and has little understanding of the issue or what really happened. I think Kwame was a much bigger influence on the BC than NRA ever was.

    But McStreetlights is really good at running his mouth.

    Comment by Todd Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:31 pm

  30. To be clear there are two forms of federal declarations: an emergency declaration and a disaster declaration. The disaster dec (which IL didn’t get after Washington tornado) is focused on financial reimbursement for government expenses (PA) and homeowners (IA), while the emergency dec is for providing federal assets. There is a capability to provide federal law enforcement assistance, but keep in mind they are not authorized for community policing, just specialized activities (think FBI for investigations, DEA for drugs, ATF for guns). There could be federal help in that form, so it’s something to keep in mind.

    Comment by MOD Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:32 pm

  31. “convictions for crimes committed with guns should result in more jail time”

    They do. For example:

    (i) if the person committed the offense while armed with a firearm, 15 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court;
    (ii) if, during the commission of the offense, the person personally discharged a firearm, 20 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court;
    (iii) if, during the commission of the offense, the person personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person, 25 years or up to a term of natural life shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court.

    730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(d) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073000050HCh%2E+V+Art%2E+8&ActID=1999&ChapterID=55&SeqStart=33000000&SeqEnd=34200000

    See also the offenses of “aggravated discharge of a firearm” and “aggravated battery with a firearm”.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:33 pm

  32. The National Guard has no police powers. In Katrina the Illinois National Guard was largely confined to base. We loaded trucks with food and water to distribute to the population. Some of us also volunteered to clean the mold out of a school. We didn’t patrol the streets. It’s not our thing here in the U.S.

    The few times I did get off the base, I didn’t see any violence, just massive destruction from the hurricane. The local people welcomed us with open arms.

    Now if Chicago is being threatened by rising levels of Lake Michigan, call us up. We’ll be glad to help.

    Comment by A Jack Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:46 pm

  33. - Higher Ed - Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:06 pm:

    “Just this past week, I heard Garry McCarthy asked, is the gun problem in Chicago, a problem that the NRA must face or is it a legislative problem for the IGA to address? He said the NRA convinced the Black Caucus that stricter sentencing would result in more African Americans serving jail time. And therefore stricter sentencing laws failed to pass.”

    Because the Black Caucus couldn’t possibly decide on their own to oppose a policy that many believe would exacerbate the problem of mass incarceration of people of color and that was opposed by many of Chicago’s leading legal scholars? http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/files/gun-violence-memo—final-from-nwu.pdf

    Comment by Change Agent Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:47 pm

  34. The FOP has successfully demonstrated that CPD is grossly undermanned by showing that the Department does not have enough officers to properly patrol Chicago. If they did, they wouldn’t have to supplement personnel with additional officers on their days off.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:56 pm

  35. The more likely problem is that Chicago has way too many repeat criminals running around. Tougher sentencing is necessary Anonymous.

    Comment by Ron Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:05 pm

  36. Ghost nailed it. If you want more police officers on the street and more visibility, than my humble suggestion is hire more police officers.

    Comment by Robert Lincoln Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:15 pm

  37. Martial law is when you really clamp down—like an occupying army, which is the point. Strict curfew, strictly enforced at gunpoint, any violation of rules leads to arrest and detention.

    Somehow, I doubt that is what Spike Lee really wants–he just wants to make the authorities look bad for not doing something.

    As for CPD’s FOP, they have it backwards if they want public support–work the overtime on the long holiday weekend, and don’t work it on a routine basis through the year. That would match with what the public thinks is a reasonable position–staff for normal times but use OT for special circumstances. Chicago FOP’s position has it backwards and looks like they don’t care how big the casualty count gets.

    Comment by Harry Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:15 pm

  38. @MisterJM:

    I believe that the NRA and their allies balked at legislation pushed by the mayor that would stiffen penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm, regardless of whether the gun was actually being used to commit a crime at the time of the arrest or its discovery.

    Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:18 pm

  39. @MisterJM
    =They do.=
    Correct me if I am wrong but weren’t the two guys arrested for the killing of Dwayne Wade’s cousin out on parole for gun related crimes?
    I realize this is a very compicated, socioeconomic problem that will take possibly decades to correct but something needs to happen now. Are the courts part of the problem?

    Comment by Higher Ed Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:29 pm

  40. I imagine a lot of the folks carrying illegal guns aren’t violent criminals either. So, you get picked up for littering or “walking on the median” or some other “broken windows” type issues, the police find an illegal gun, and, you being unable to afford a competent attorney, bingo, you’re off to jail for a spell. A long spell.

    Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:31 pm

  41. ===you’re off to jail for a spell. A long spell.===

    I don’t know any serious person arguing for a first time, non-violent offender to be sent to prison for years for mere possession of a weapon.

    Argue like an adult, please.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:32 pm

  42. Yeah, bring in the Army and what happens when some private gets shot or killed in a car accident or something.

    Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:38 pm

  43. I guess I wasn’t clear, but I thought the new law applied to repeat offenders. So you get picked up a second time and you do have a record, but you served your time.The intent may be to target violent criminals but others could get caught up as well.

    Overall, I’m concerned about disparate impact, as we saw with drug laws. Minorities are more likely to have poor legal representation, more likely (because of housing segregation) to live in communities where there is heavy “stop and frisk” policing, more likely to have police encounters over relatively trivial behaviors, so, I would imagine more likely to get arrested.

    I assume the minority caucuses are keeping an eye on this. I sure hope so.

    Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 1:56 pm

  44. Re. the use of Natl. Guard in New Orleans, one point all are leaving out is the presence of Blackwater and other “private security contractors”, as well as police from outside the state of Louisiana. Both cases represent an unacceptable practice and a dangerous threat to the Constitution and the rule of law.

    Two previous eras in American history which had citizens governed by military districts would be parts of the colonies occupied by British troops and foreign mercenaries such as Hessians at the time of the war for independence against Britain, and parts of the former Confederate states occupied by Union troops while their legislatures were suspended by Washington D.C. after the war. Both were periods in our history where the future of America as a nation based on law was in question. Who benefits from such actions now?

    Blackwater formerly owned a training facility and shooting range near Mount Carroll, Illinois. Many cops were trained there by military or ex-military personnel.

    Comment by Payback Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 2:10 pm

  45. What would the Guard actually be doing? For them to make any arrests or confiscations, I believe there would need to be a declaration of Martial Law like there was in New Orleans. After seeing what those CHP thugs did to Patty Konie during Hurricane Katrina, I think that I’m going to have to go along with Rauner on this one.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 2:19 pm

  46. Correct me if I am wrong but weren’t the two guys arrested for the killing of Dwayne Wade’s cousin out on parole for gun related crimes?
    I realize this is a very compicated, socioeconomic problem that will take possibly decades to correct but something needs to happen now. Are the courts part of the problem?

    Nothing to correct. That is all right.

    Comment by Ron Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 2:48 pm

  47. Why would you carry an illegal gun and risk an expensive interaction with the po po? Maybe it would be smart to get a FOID card and a permit to carry? (Can’t get one or the other? Probably shouldn’t have one.)

    Nobody is doing a very good job of “insuring domestic Tranquility.”

    I think we need Sheriff Joe. A few tents, some pink underwear, and cases of PBJ sandwhiches could be a better deterrent than increased police presence or an occupying Peacekeeper force. (Maybe just call it an “urban drill,” and don’t get all fancy with the emergency declarations)
    .5/snark

    Comment by cdog Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 2:53 pm

  48. Fixing poverty is the way out of violence

    Comment by Publius Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 3:05 pm

  49. No need for NG. Maybe bring Project Exile style legislation.

    If you really want the NG to be involved, then get the Construction Units to the schools and rebuild them. Improve the infrastructure and let the community be involved.

    Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 4:11 pm

  50. =What federal money?= The same place that the money is coming from to pay for the wall.

    Comment by The Fool On The Hill Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 4:16 pm

  51. Lock up the gangs for the holiday. Problem solved!

    Comment by Mama Retired Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 4:17 pm

  52. The FOP once again has demonstrated why it has no credibility at the Capitol or out in the community. There are other police groups that seem to get it. FOP does not. Apparently they don’t even understand what is happening in their own organization.

    Police screw up, and some people wearing a badge should not be. The FOP won’t be credible until it makes that simple admission - which it has NEVER done. The officer that shot Laquan McDonald’s conduct was indefensible. Anyone, even other cops, that watch the video can see that yet the FOP is defending the officer and even gave him a job at their office. There are good and bad people doing all kinds of work. The bad should not be protected or defended - especially those who are sworn to protect all citizens.

    The FOP is a big part of the problem and they’re conduct does not serve the men and women serving honorably.

    Comment by Carpfish Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 5:41 pm

  53. Schools blown up that is…

    Comment by Ron Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 6:13 pm

  54. Payback, I live in northwest Il, (where Mt. Carroll is). I don’t doubt that a lot of cops trained there but how many were going overseas?

    I know a lot of cops, from all over the state and I don’t know a single one or even a friend of a friend who trained there.

    Don’t think it was that big of a deal.

    Comment by Freezeup Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 8:21 pm

  55. Maybe we need to put a community organizer in charge of the South Side… oh, wait, that’s already been tried.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 2, 16 @ 7:21 am

  56. Higher Ed- “…I heard Garry McCarthy asked, is the gun problem in Chicago, a problem that the NRA must face or is it a legislative problem for the IGA to address?”

    Todd Vandermyde and police chiefs like Garry McCarthy are both on the same side.

    Look at the worst language in Brandon Phelps 2013 concealed carry bill like Duty to Inform. The IL Chiefs of Police wanted DTI, Phelps refused to take it out, and the only people who saw the danger and opposed on the record were Black Caucus Reps. NRA uses black people like Otis McDonald for plaintiffs, then tosses them aside in their bills.

    Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 2, 16 @ 2:38 pm

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