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* I got the same information from the Griffin team yesterday…
SPEAKING OF KEN GRIFFIN: His team is doubling down on how he remembers a phone call with Pritzker and other civic leaders talking about violence in the city. Griffin acknowledges Pritzker deployed the National Guard in June 2020 to address violence, but the Citadel CEO called for it again in August 2020 during a phone call with the governor and other civic leaders as crime persisted.
Griffin said Pritzker responded: “It won’t look good for there to be men and women on Michigan Avenue with assault weapons.” The governor’s chief of staff pushed back Monday, saying she was on the call that day and Pritzker “never said that.”
Pritzker’s team does acknowledge that there was a conversation that day about the National Guard, though the exact wording is fuzzy. According to a spokeswoman, the governor reiterated that it’s not his decision alone to call up the Guard — that local officials (the mayor) are part of the decision-making, too.
We put out queries to the other executives on the line — Ariel Investments’ Mellody Hobson, Grosvenor’s Michael Sacks, Cleveland Avenue’s Don Thompson, Motorola’s Greg Brown, UL’s Jennifer Scanlon, Hyatt Corp.’s Mark Hoplamazian, and Pritzker Organization’s Tom Pritzker — and heard only crickets. No one wants to get in between (or sideways with) two billionaires it seems.
I don’t think any Illinois governor has ever called out the National Guard over the opposition of a local mayor. Rod Blagojevich threatened to do it, then backed off. (I’d also point out that those who most often want the National Guard called out are, like Rod, usually just looking for cheap and easy media coverage.)
* Here’s a big reason why governors don’t do that…
“When we don’t hear of the need in the city even though we are offering it, then we don’t provide it,” Pritzker said. “You can’t just march people in without coordinating with the Chicago Police Department.”
Exactly. And the mayor controls the CPD.
I told you yesterday that Griffin’s rant was aimed at 2022. This is just more proof. If he was serious about the issue, he’d have publicly spoken up against the mayor last summer.
* More from the Tribune…
During Rauner’s single term, funding for violence prevention programs and other social services was cut off as the state went more than two years without a complete budget amid a standoff with the Democratic-controlled legislature over the governor’s pro-business, union-weakening agenda.
“I am very focused on the safety and security of the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “I’ve increased significantly the resources, trying to build back from what Bruce Rauner did — with the support of Ken Griffin — to our state by increasing dollars to violence interruption, violence prevention programs, by investing in our communities.”
Still, Pritzker said, “we are nearly at a state of emergency in our need to address crime.”
“We are very concerned about it at the state level and providing resources at a local level, not just to Chicago but to Rockford and other places around the state,” Pritzker said. “But we need local leadership, including the corporate leadership, to step up and help our cities.”
…Adding… Just a reminder about how the Chicago news media generally rewards blatant publicity hounds who demand the National Guard be deployed…
It’s actually a sickness.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:11 am
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Ken Griffin isn’t concerned about crime in the city and isn’t losing any sleep over it. It’s a classic wedge issue where he can attempt to cast people as either supporting the police or encouraging crime. Not all that different than our last President. If he, or anyone else for that matter, has a solution to the decades long problem in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods I’m all ears.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:19 am
The thing about understanding how actual governing works is the want to understand that. Griffin, time and time again, (pensions, budgets, now police/NG) Griffin becomes the angry in-law uncle, listening only to what he thinks is his winning points but not listening to facts or understanding the realities of what they say to how they “want things”
It’s truly a pandering to the lowest thinkers, and even if Griffin believes “half” of his ridiculousness, you’d think a wealthy man like Griffin would be able to purposely grasp an honest take, have an opinion, and use his own wealth and power to push forward honest and rational solutions.
The fact Griffin can’t be wholly honest, refuses to either grasp the reality or wants “unrealistic reality” as a plan… it’s a manipulation game to lemmings he feels can change Illinois to what he actually wants… pensions eliminated, right to work, the whole union busting completed.
It’s just in this case Griffin is using crime as the fulcrum to be manipulative towards lemmings unaware of the real game at play.
If Griffin was honest to this… indeed… it would be about the city and the mayor. It’s not. It also not an accident.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:23 am
===how the Chicago news media generally rewards blatant publicity hounds ===
That was part of Rauner’s secret. He threw on the carhartts, western shirts, motorcycle vests, and cowboy hats before the media could portray him as such. He arrived as a clown and we just didn’t know what to do with him.
===but the Citadel CEO called for it again in August 2020 during a phone call with the governor and other civic leaders as crime persisted.===
Why exactly does GOP Daddy Kenny Griffs think that his demands over the deployment of the Illinois Guard should be heeded? Does he have some kind of training or expertise in civil police work?
At least he agrees that he lied.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:30 am
I do not understand this fascination with the National Guard. They are not trained for police work. I think more time and effort in hiring and training more police officers and perhaps rewarding a promoting officers based on job performance would be a better idea. Along with social services.
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:33 am
I would also remind the Mayor that the Illinois National Guard has been working like crazy to address a whole host of issues, including running COVID vaccination sites, makeshift COVID tents, and even have been deployed to other states to assist with their needs. The National Guardsmen/women in Illinois are total and complete professionals who shouldn’t be used as political pawns by the Mayor.
Comment by DaBlues Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:38 am
FWIW, Ken Griffin has been pretty good to CPD:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2018/april/KenGriffinCPD.html
He may have donated Kevlar helmets to PO’s last year.
Comment by Jockey Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:39 am
- They are not trained for police work.-
You’re not right, they are trained in urban police work, that’s why they get brought in to address or prevent criminal activity during riots or even sports championships.
Comment by IJS Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:41 am
“I do not understand this fascination with the National Guard.”
Just another wholesale misunderstanding of the basics of two completely different entities, law enforcement and civil protection, brought to us by our good friends in the entertainment industry.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:42 am
=== You’re not right, they are trained in urban police work===
Really? Huh. Your description is that of “emergency”, not daily policing.
Troops on the streets, like a 3rd world country, sounds like a far right dream to “freedom”
Will the troops be in all neighborhoods or just… targeted… and which targets are others willing to divide people more?
Oh, I know, “law and order”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:45 am
By bringing in the National Guard, the only thing that is increasing is the likelihood of an innocent person getting shot and maybe killed in an interaction with them. You think we have unrest and crime issues now? Wait until that happens.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:49 am
===they are trained in urban police work===
They are not trained what to do when an American mayor refuses to allow local law enforcement to work with them, however.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:51 am
=== They are not trained what to do when an American mayor refuses to allow local law enforcement to work with them, however.===
Ball game, and exactly why a great deal of the beef, the crux of the beef is with the mayor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:55 am
I can’t wait to see the CBS cop show about Detective Private First Class Forrest who investigates the crimes committed by Black Lives Matter Protesters so that the Chicago PD can concentrate on the real criminals, innocent unarmed Black folks minding their own business at home.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:55 am
Mr/Ms IJS no you are the only one trained for police work are some MPs (some are trained for stockades) Infantry/ Artillary could probably pull off a perimeter guard. But do not expect much else
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:56 am
I care about as much about Ken Griffin’s opinions on law enforcement as I do about Rihanna’s views on taking the COVID vaccination. What makes him an expert? He is really good at making money, but seems really lacking in civics knowledge and government management.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:57 am
==Motorola’s Greg Brown==
Doesn’t Motorola produce police body cams? Probably best he not comment on the matter.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:58 am
Using the national guard should always be a last resort.
Comment by Recovering cub fan Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:58 am
They are trained to set up and staff road blocks and to maintain secure perimeters. People who call for this imagine it might be possible or desirable to keep certain people out of certain neighborhoods. The National Guard could probably achieve that, but that is NOT going to solve any problems and isn’t a long-term solution.
To the actual issue, since we apparently can’t stop the flow of firearms into the hands of criminals, the only option left is to lock up the shooters for so long that their frail fingers can no longer pull a trigger.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 10:59 am
It is not the job nor was it ever intended to be the job of the National Guard to be turned into local law enforcement. You should never have the military patrolling the streets. Not their job. You got a problem then hire more local law enforcement. The military is not the answer.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:09 am
Rod was sentenced to 14 years for his crimes, but whoever made that picture of him in a sheriff getup should have got more.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:10 am
if not the national guard, then another agency needs to step up and start enforcing the laws in chicago. kids are acting without any regard for the law, and civilians are in harms way.
Comment by moving forward Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:11 am
Chicago and other large population centers have some unbelievable challenges and solutions seem to be beyond the politicians capacity.
The proliferation of guns amongst people who do not legally possess them and the level of gun violence is a primary concern. Poverty is, to me, our biggest issue. Drug abuse and drug dealing are also major concerns.
Deploying the Nat Guard may sound like a grand plan, but it does little to actually address the underlying issues that are causal to the gun violence issue. The guardsman are not trained in investigation, intervention, and preventative actions. They are a presence that will ultimately be taken for granted as people get used to seeing them on the streets and we will be right back to square 1.
When we have major civil disruption it is useful to bring the guard in to help settle things down, but the effectiveness is temporary and so is the mission.
=Will the troops be in all neighborhoods or just… targeted… and which targets are others willing to divide people more?=
With respect, we need more police on the streets trained in modern and effective community policing methods to address these critical issues and we do need to target specific areas where crime is the highest. That terminology may not appeal to some, and as I have stated before these problems have many causes. Community policing programs seem to be more effective because they are more than just about arrests and punishment. But we do need to focus additional resources on the areas of greatest need. With respect.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:22 am
Frustration can make one stupid. Murder is up across the country in alarming percentages. this is why the suits quote the rates for violent crime total. the killing and shooting is at a higher rate than violent crime overall. Frustration with this situation in Chicago is making a bunch of people say stupid things.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:22 am
===With respect, we need more police on the streets trained in modern and effective community policing methods to address these critical issues and we do need to target specific areas where crime is the highest.===
The context was the National Guard deployment to do those things, like an occupying force.
For me the difference is… the uniform and chain of command to the charge given to those enforcing.
The mayor refused to have the NG and police coordinate. That’s a big miss that Griffin is missing, purposely or not.
All good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:32 am
Seems like Mr. Griffin is trying to change the subject.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/citadel-securities-faces-new-pressure-over-gamestop-frenzy-11632863151
Comment by Publius Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 11:51 am
===Seems like Mr. Griffin is trying to change the subject===
Ding, ding, ding.
===He is really good at making money===
Anyone can make money if they know the order flow and are responsible for filling the orders.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Mr Griffin was hardly the only business owner, large or small, loudly demanding the City and State bring in the National Guard during the second bout of civil unrest. After your downtown retail business gets busted apart for the second time in a sumemr, that’ll happen.
And the second civil unrest go around the City definitely put it’s new civil unrest chess pieces, “infrastructure assets” (aka salt trucks) and quite a few officers to try and cordon off the Central Business District.
https://news.wttw.com/2020/08/10/after-night-looting-lightfoot-blocks-downtown
The National Guard absolutely could’ve manned that cordon and freed up CPD if they’d been requested. As for the entire civil unrest response strategy, and calling (again) for National Guard, or not? Reasonable minds can disagree, but Griffin was hardly only one calling for the Guard that week.
Comment by ChicagoBars Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 12:59 pm
Well, Governor Pritzker just said the City is nearly in a State of Emergency due to the crime in the city.
So, was he wrong?
Comment by DuPage Moderate Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 1:13 pm
===So, was he wrong? ===
Again, my contention is his beef was with the mayor. How about sticking to that topic of discussion?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 1:14 pm
For a riot national guard helps, but for general crime, even “out of control” crime, bad idea. And when would they leave? Never. Become an occupied city. Useless idea.
Meanwhile we down over 1,000 police and counting and training academy is empty. No chase policies, not enough police, no witnesses and no prosecution. Bad combo.
Comment by Riot Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 1:19 pm
I wonder how many personal security guards griffin has on duty at any given time.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 1:22 pm
In general, people that actually live in Chicago will tell you that things feel far more unsafe now than they have in previous times. Of course much of this is wealthier residents voicing concerns many other residents have had for eons (and have been ignored).
Crime is a serious, serious problem in Chicago and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.
Comment by JP Altgeld Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 1:30 pm
What I want to know what is…
What is fueling the large bouts of civil unrest in Chicago?
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 2:18 pm
I don’t think there is civil unrest in Chicago as much as there is criminal activity.
Chicagoans are plenty smart. I think there is a palpable sentiment that there is less enforcement of laws and prosecutions than in years past, especially for certain crimes, and people are taking advantage. Word travels.
Comment by JP Altgeld Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 2:27 pm
Are drugs and gangs the major reasons for the large shootings? If yes, how can the city stop the drug suppliers and the gangs?
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 2:27 pm
=and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.=
You don’t read much do you?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 2:37 pm
I read everything. I also live here. There is much handwringing and little action, from what I can see, and I’ve been watching these things for quite a long time. An ever growing number of people feel the same way.
Comment by JP Altgeld Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 2:43 pm
Kim Foxx is the problem. Lightfoot should have endorsed (and Griffin should have helped finance) Conway in the Dem primary for SA. If the recent “mutual combatants” nonsense didn’t enlighten you on the real problem, nothing will.
Comment by SuburbanR Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 3:15 pm
==Lightfoot should have endorsed (and Griffin should have helped finance) Conway in the Dem primary for SA==
Conway had has wealthy father as a financier. Money wasn’t the issue. Until Chicago voters decide a change is needed, Foxx will remain.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 3:49 pm
“If the recent “mutual combatants” nonsense didn’t enlighten you on the real problem, nothing will.”
“Mutual combatant” is a non sequitur.
There isn’t enough evidence. This doesn’t mean there won’t be more evidence later.
Comment by All this Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 3:49 pm
===There is much handwringing and little action, from what I can see, and I’ve been watching these things for quite a long time.===
This is why people think you don’t read.
Biden sent strike forces to major cities to take down gun networks.
Pritzker signed a bill for more funds for mental illness providers.
From AP news:” The money from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act will be used to help pay for community outreach programs, regional law enforcement task forces and specialized police positions and fund real-time access to data from rapid-DNA and ballistics testing.”
Also summer employment for young people have been expanded.
Comment by 17% Solution Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 4:17 pm
17%:
Now do one for the two officials with direct responsibility for crime in Chicago.
Comment by JP Altgeld Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 4:19 pm
Don’t forget the new Illinois budget has almost a million dollars for violence interrupters.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/06/07/illinois-state-budget-violence-prevention-chicago-neighborhoods/
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 4:23 pm
100% agree with this: “To the actual issue, since we apparently can’t stop the flow of firearms into the hands of criminals, the only option left is to lock up the shooters for so long that their frail fingers can no longer pull a trigger.”
Comment by WestBurbs Wednesday, Oct 6, 21 @ 4:54 pm
“o the actual issue, since we apparently can’t stop the flow of firearms into the hands of criminals, the only option left is to lock up the shooters for so long that their frail fingers can no longer pull a trigger.”
We can stop the flow. Other countries do it.
Comment by Howdy Thursday, Oct 7, 21 @ 7:30 am
== Now do one for the two officials with direct responsibility for crime in Chicago.==
Why? So you can move the goalposts yet again? I proved you wrong already.
You say you read everything, so use the Google and make your own list.
Comment by 17% Solution Thursday, Oct 7, 21 @ 7:33 am