Cook County, IL — Today, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a joint press conference opposing President Trump’s reported plans to send federal forces, including National Guard personnel and immigration agents, to Chicago. They framed these actions as unwarranted, politically motivated, and potentially unlawful intrusions on local autonomy. They urged communities to resist federal intervention and demanded coordination, asserting that “crime prevention is not his true agenda” and warning of disruptions to civil life and democratic norms.
As a concerned citizen, I find this stance not only dangerous but deeply irresponsible. At a time when many families in Chicago are experiencing tangible threats, hundreds of shootings, home invasions, robberies, and escalating violence, calling for resistance against federal authorities contributes to fear, anger, and anxiety rather than safety. While local governance is crucial, standing against cooperation with federal resources, military police, especially those aimed at arresting criminal migrants or curbing mass shootings, strikes me as reckless, particularly from Democrats who claim to support public safety.
Most citizens, real parents, workers, families, support the rule of law and want safe communities. This should not be controversial. Asking for calm, empathy, and operational collaboration with federal law enforcement is reasonable and responsible. Instead, what we witnessed today feels like a political maneuver designed to stoke emotions and call for chaos rather than protect communities.
I urge our elected officials, regardless of party, to stop weaponizing rhetoric. Families in Chicago deserve leaders who build bridges, not barricades. We want safety, not spin. We want solutions that put people first, not politics. That is what every Chicago family, every parent, every citizen hopes for, and deserves.
- Commissioner Sean M. Morrison
MEDIA CONTACT: Phone: 708-349-1336 | Email: Sean.Morrison@cookcountyil.gov