The governor’s office just sent out this press release.
“We learned of the terror plot last night, and since then, we have been in constant communication with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. While no locations in Illinois are known to be targets, we continue to monitor the situation closely. For people who do have to travel today, please be aware that all domestic flights have been elevated to an orange level alert. That means you should give yourself plenty of extra time at the airport. And most importantly, if you see any suspicious acitivity, please report it to the local authorities immediately. If we’re vigilant and if we go about our lives as we normally would, we can each do our part to stand up to the terrorists and show them we won’t be bullied.”
UPDATE: From Sen. Barack Obama:
“Today’s report that British authorities foiled an attack on airplanes traveling from London to the United States is a sobering reminder that the world remains a very dangerous place. It also reminds us how important it is to have strong allies in this fight that can help stop these attacks before they reach our shores. The cooperation between British and U.S. officials and the subsequent precautions taken to secure our people are admirable. I hope in the coming days we do more to secure our ports, our chemical plants, and our airports and railways, as the 9/11 commission recommended long ago.â€
UPDATE 2: Latest press release from governor’s office:
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today directed state homeland security officials to take actions to ensure security at commercial airports in Illinois in the wake of arrests in Britain of terrorists suspected of planning attacks on airplanes between the United Kingdom and the United States.
“While there is no known threat in Illinois, we are reaching out to airports throughout the state to offer assistance if additional security measures are needed. We have special response teams on standby so they can quickly move in if necessary,†said Gov. Blagojevich. “As extra caution and tighter security measures continue in our airports, we appreciate the patience and cooperation of those traveling to or from Illinois. And as we go on with our daily lives, all of us need to remember to be alert and on the look out for suspicious activity.â€
The Governor’s top homeland security officials were briefed on the terrorist plot during a midnight conference call with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The State contacted the City of Chicago early this morning to offer assistance from the Illinois National Guard for security at O’Hare and Midway airports. While Chicago determined that assistance isn’t needed at this time, the state stands ready to provide additional security forces. In addition, the state has activated the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), the state’s law enforcement mutual aid organization, which is contacting the nine other commercial airports in the state to determine if they are considering additional security measures and notify them that the state will reimburse them for extraordinary expenses related to extra security actions during the Orange alert for air travel.
In addition to O’Hare and Midway, other commercial airports in Illinois are located in Rockford, the Quad-Cities, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Springfield, Quincy and Williamson County.
“At this time there is no threat to these airports but we want to ensure that they have the ability to tighten security if deemed necessary to thwart potential copycat incidents,†said Col. Jill Morgenthaler, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety. “Anytime you have security intensified at bigger potential targets, there’s also a concern that small targets may
appear soft, and the presence of armed officers could deter a possible threat.â€
The state also has placed the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) hazardous materials teams on alert to support Chicago, and offered the Civil Support Team and the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams to Chicago.
- RickG - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:38 am:
My first thought: “Gee, thanks, Rod! I feel much better now!”
My second thought: That last sentence is made-up, right? It’s a joke, right? Bullied?
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:38 am:
This is a safe and useful statement. But it looks like someone watched the Today show this morning, came to work, and then decided to issue it. If they are really monitoring the situation, this announcement would have arrived at a time when it was really news - Duh.
- Anonymous-N-Spfld - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:48 am:
I tried to go about my life in grade school and still got my a$$ kicked every morning.
- The Crux of the Matter is this - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:50 am:
When I can’t Bring my Flask on the Plane
The Terrorists have won
- Walking Wounded - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:53 am:
Is anyone else bothered by the admission that Blago’s office JUST learned about the plot last night (what, through CNN?) and have since been in constant communication with the Feds? Wow, the FBI and Homeland security are really keeping ARod and his minions in the loop. Don’t the Feds trust them, either?
- paper bag over my head - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:54 am:
He sounds to me like someone who didn’t get invited to the party trying to sound like he did. The I knew last night line sounds contrite. I heard it on the news at 3:00 am this morning, does that count for last night? Just tell me IEMA is not handling the situation and I feel better already.
- Bill Baar - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:55 am:
Illinois is a transportation hub.
Plenty of flts between O’Hare and the UK (my kid as well as the Elgin youth Orchestra will be returning on one this weekend).
It’s a good statement.
- Anon - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:01 am:
The guy’s damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. So he doesn’t do a feel good stop to tour wind damage downstate. You bash him. He issues a feel good press release on an elevated terror warning. You bash him.
If some of you hate him so much, stop working for him. Get something besides a state job.
- Justice - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:02 am:
Let me get this right “………we can each do our part to stand up to the terrorists and show them we won’t be bullied.†These people live in a dream world. All the while they are bullying state workers and now they act like they are our heroes. Give me a freaking break. These people are in their height of stupidity and there is no cure for stupidity. We should worry more about the governor and his staff. They hit us every day at work and home with their boot of intimidation and threats on the throats of the state worker, much like Hitler during WWII, i.e. “Boot Politics.”!!
- a non - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:19 am:
“we have been in constant communications with the FBI”
Finally some honestly on that point. Thank you Governor.
- Ron - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:21 am:
So a natural disaster isn’t worth Rod’s time, but by golly, he’s not going to miss getting press on this London situation. What a joke!
- Anon - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:28 am:
“If we’re vigilant and if we go about our lives as we normally would”
I love this line - they’re telling us to be normal while doing something abnormal at the same time. At least for me, my normal life doesn’t include being vigilant for terrorists.
Nitpicking aside, I think the entire statement is a crock. Illinois is not involved, and they’ve said nothing more than is available in the news. It does appear that they just don’t want to be left out.
They might as well be putting out press releases about the rumor that Tiger Woods is going to retire.
- Do Tell - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:32 am:
“….we have been in constant communications with the FBI….†Don’t you just love to hear the truth when told inadvertently by someone not aware they actually told the truth for once!!! I bet you’ve been in constant communications with the FBI. More like they have been in constant communications with you via wires!!! I hear the bus a coming, coming round the bend….!! Lets PARTY!!!!!!
- BuckTurgidson - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:36 am:
Are you serious? People are trying to keep a political scorecard about the timing and content of a statement made about a terror plot?
Honestly, I’m not even sure why comments are on. It isn’t right. It isn’t wrong. It just is.
- anon - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:36 am:
rich, i’ve thrown out yesterday’s fax. so how do i get into the password protected post?
- Shelbyville - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:36 am:
I have always thought that someone could carry on a water bottle full of kerosene and light it with a match. It doesn’t take much planning.
Hand passengers a bottle of water when they board and then we won’t have to carry our own. But there have been plenty of flights sit on the ground over 2 hours, so people have to carry water.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:37 am:
send me an e-mail
- HANKSTER - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:37 am:
Who cares? Its a straight forward normal response statement.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:38 am:
I agree with Buck, but I also understand that this is a political site and dark humor is a relief valve at times like this. Still, let’s tone it down a little, eh?
- doubtful - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:41 am:
Great comment about the abnomality of vigilance Anon 10:28 AM.
As far as the statement, he’s gotta say something, but probably can’t say much. I think it’s fine.
Plus, the change in the terror alert signals the official start of the 2006 election cycle! We should do a a shot everytime someone says the Democrats are weak on terror.
- Woe is us - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:55 am:
I think its a good release. I don’t think its fair to compare the reaction to this to the State’s reaction to the tornadoes in Metro East. After all, you can prepare for and maybe even prevent a terrorist attack, but you can’t ever prevent a natural disaster, no matter how well you prepare.
- WARDOG - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:12 am:
Like it or not, Illinois is involved just like every other state in this country and elsewhere. The fact is WE ARE AT WAR and I hope the Governor and his administration realize that. One thing is for sure, he had better be aware of it because he IS from Chicago and runs the state from there. If terrorist hit anywhere in Illinois, it will more than likely be Chicago.
- Niles Township - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:12 am:
Why does every politican have the need to issue a statement on every issue/occurence? Enough already! Rod is not protecting the public by making press statements on a terrorist plot in the the UK.
- paper bag over my head - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:17 am:
A serious question. The mayor of New York has been on CNN and said that they were notified on Sunday. Now I am concerned. Did the plot specifically state New York, or has the governors travel plans and other issues kept him out of the loop. Are we being ignored because of who represents us or does Illinois just not present itself as a serious target?
- Walking Wounded - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:21 am:
In and of itself, ARod’s press release is just generally “Fluff”. What bothers me, and I’m certain others, is that he’s been governing endlessy via press releases, usurps the General Assembly’s powers, and really cares less about those South of I-80. So, yes, we might sound like we’re making a big thing out of little, but Milrod’s administration is wearing very thin nowadays.
- DOWNSTATE - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:32 am:
Can you imagine the look on their faces when the Feds pulled up.
- HANKSTER - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:34 am:
WALKING WOUNDED: What should he do instead? Should he say nothing? Should he call up the national guard (too bad they are all in Iraq)? These are exactly the types of statements being issues across the nation. So stop the endless political attacks for one minute.
- Walking Wounded - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:37 am:
Sure will, Hankster. As soon as the indictments roll out.
- HANKSTER - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:41 am:
Im glad that trying to make a political gain is more important to you than national security. It says a lot about you.
- Ron - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:44 am:
Lot of whiners here today.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:45 am:
Comments closed.