One night after protests in Chicago due to the death of George Floyd, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has asked Gov. JB Pritzker to activate 375 Illinois Nation Guard soldiers for State Active Duty to assist Chicago Police.
“This chaos and destruction is not the right tactic to bring change,” Lightfoot said Sunday morning. Officials announced during last nights’ protests there were over 240 arrests and six shootings with one death.
Off days have been canceled for the city’s police force.
National Guard members will serve in a limited mission to aid street closures throughout the city and have been instructed not to interfere with peaceful protesters.
Streets to be blocked off include:
- Division Street from Lake Shore Drive and North Halsted Street.
- North Halsted from Division Street. to Milwaukee Avenue and Grand Avenue.
- Milwaukee Avenue from Grand Avenue to Kinzie Street.
- Canal Street from Kinzie Street to 26th Street.
- 26th Street from Canal Street to Lake Shore Drive.
“At the request of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, I am activating the Illinois National Guard to support the City of Chicago in protecting our communities and keeping people safe,” said Gov. JB Pritzker.
“This is an immensely challenging moment for our city, our state, and our country, one born from decades and centuries of systemic racism. To those peacefully expressing the pain, fear, and rage of this moment, I hear you.” Pritzker said Sunday morning. “Your voices matter. We must address the profound injustices in our society and bring about real and meaningful change.”
