Chicago Lawmakers Want National Guard to Stop Violence

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Dec 15, 2009 in Washington, DC. Escalating violence in the streets of Chicago prompted state Representatives to call upon Illinois Governor Quinn to deploy the state's National Guard for assistance. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Escalating violence in the streets of Chicago prompted state Representatives LaShawn Ford and John Fritchey to call upon Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to deploy the state’s National Guard for assistance. Rep. Ford said in an April 25 press release, “Gang activity and its resulting violence has taken a toll on my community for far too long.” He attributes the rampant gang violence to high unemployment rates.

Since the beginning of this year, 112 people were killed in Chicago, while 113 U.S. troops were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the same time period. As the weather turns warmer, the two legislators said they are concerned that violence will climb to more dangerous heights.

Research in social psychology has found that the likelihood for violent crimes to occur increases with higher temperatures. Social psychologists attribute this phenomenon to the tendency for people to feel discomfort on hot days, leading to frustration and aggression.

According to Ford, the violence occurs primarily on 9% of the city’s blocks, located on the West and South Side of Chicago. He said high school dropout and unemployment rates are disproportionately higher there than in other areas of the city. With no jobs available, many turn to gang activity. Rep. Ford said many individuals are unable to find jobs because they have criminal backgrounds. “They can’t seem to find employment because there is no mechanism in place that guarantees qualified, formerly incarcerated people to gain employment.” He noted that most are repeat offenders and “they have to continue to turn to a life of crime because they can’t find work that will hire them.”

Ford stressed that this is a problem everywhere in the nation. “Those that may have made a mistake in life, if you make a mistake at 18, you don’t have a salary, for whatever reason. You will not be a person that’s qualified to go to work.”

Willie Williams Sr., whose son was shot and killed in 2006, has experienced gang violence first-hand. He said that those who join gangs “feel that’s the only way of life, to do things, to take and kill” because they cannot enter into legal job markets. Instead, their main source of financial support is through selling drugs.

Ford believes that the problem can only be solved by offering more job opportunities for these troubled youths, and calling in the National Guard is part of the solution. “The suggestion for the National Guard would allow for those communities to be safer and once you have safer communities, businesses are encouraged to come into those communities to set up.”

He emphasized the need for the government to take responsibility. “The only way we’re going to reduce the recidivism rate…is for the government to find some connection with the business community and for government agencies to put the formerly incarcerated to work.” Williams wishes the government would offer more programs to train people with criminal records to be ready for work.

Williams, Ford, and Fritchey believe that the National Guard’s assistance will be of great help to the Chicago Police Department, especially when “department resources are stretched thin” and “state funding isn’t available to allow for the hiring of more officers,” said Fritchey in the press release. Ford said that Governor Quinn will agree to the initiative if the mayor of Chicago is willing to do so. Ford said the mayor does not feel this option is necessary at the moment, but “it’s not off the table,” as they will consider all possibilities.