Tomorrow, the Cook County Board of Commissioners will vote on Item No. 17-1636. It is a resolution formally requesting President Donald Trump send additional federal resources to Chicago.
The resolution calls for additional resources for law enforcement, additional federal law enforcement agents and economic investment in communities across the county.
We are distressed because it appears that a substitute that has been proposed places politics over the lives of Cook County citizens. The original item is bi-partisan and specifically spells out the resources the federal government can offer to help quell the violence in Cook County. The substitute does not.
“This is not a political issue,” said Commissioner Boykin. “This is a human issue. It would be a travesty to not work with the administration to ensure the right kinds of resources are coming to Chicago simple because we may have political disagreements.”
The resolution also makes clear that the National Guard is in no way an appropriate response. That is why it is important for local leaders to begin having a conversation with President Trump and Washington.
“With the rising death toll, not accepting an offer of federal help at this juncture would be an inexcusable dereliction of duty by our elected leaders,” said Commissioner Morrison. “We cannot continue to repeat the same conversations and apply the same stagnant strategies and methods to no avail. We have an obligation to put all people’s lives before partisan politics.”
Commissioners Boykin and Morrison urge their colleagues to support the original item. It is imperative that the violence Chicago saw in 2016 is not repeated in 2017. The status quo is beyond acceptable.