The stories you hear are the same in too many neighborhoods: restaurants closing before dinner, neighbors trading information about which blocks feel “safe” and which do not. That doesn’t sound like a thriving American city, it sounds like fear. And yet, many of our leaders still say that this is normal, as if it’s just the price of living in a “big city.” Chicago is bleeding, it’s time to face that reality.
One very common response from Chicagoans has been to not let police, military or government employees into protests. But this approach is handicapping the city. Protests that block traffic, shut down expressway exits, and prevent medics or law enforcement from conducting their acts of duty are no longer peaceful. A protest should raise voices, not prevent a medic from reaching a patient.
And want to make your voice heard? That’s fine and even great, but do it on the sidewalk. Not in the middle of the street where lives are on the line.
Consequently, Illinois’ little criminal justice experiment has made matters worse. The Pretrial Fairness Act eliminated cash bail, making our state the first in the nation to do so. The main goal was to prevent poor defendants from sitting in jail just because they had no money, which was rooted in fairness. But in reality, it creates a massive revolving door. Way too often, violent offenders are released within hours of their arrest, given a slap on the wrist and told to return to court at a later date. Let’s be honest, real criminals won’t show up. And when they don’t, it’s innocent Chicagoans who pay the price.
That is why our great nation has emergency safeguards. When the state government loses control and the safety of U.S. citizens is in jeopardy, the President can legally act. The Insurrection Act (10. U.S.C §§ 251-255) allows the President to deploy federal troops or federalize state National Guard units when the state authorities can’t protect the people or enforce law. This would give Chicago exactly what it needs, protection & safety.
People are saying the Guard will “militarize” Chicago. However, that argument rings hollow to families burying their children, to parents too scared to let their kids walk to school, to business owners watching decades of their work slip away. Let’s be clear, the Guard wouldn’t roll through Chicago in tanks. They will arrive and give the Chicago Police Department real backup and breathing room in order to take back our streets from these criminals.
It’s not about left or right either. It’s about parents wanting their kids home safe. It’s about workers wanting to commute without fear. It’s about small businesses wanting to stay open after dark. We don’t need any special treatment. Just the bare minimum every city should guarantee–safety.
Chicago needs courage. Courage from our leaders to admit our city is in crisis. Courage from the Governor to request help. And courage from the President to send it.
Every day we wait, more blood spills, more lives end, more families shatter. Chicago needs help.
Send the Guard. Restore order. Give Chicago back to its people.