Congressional Candidate on National Guard Deployment in Chicago

Opposition to National Guard Deployment

• ❌ Demi Palachek, a candidate for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District and a military veteran, stated that she does not believe National Guard members in Chicago would cut down on crime.
• 💡 She argued that investments in the community and organizational initiatives have been effective in reducing crime, citing a decline reported by both CPD and the FBI.
• 🗣️ Palachek expressed uncertainty about the crime the president is referring to, given the reported decline.

Concerns About Legality and Effectiveness

• 🗑️ Palachek suggested that National Guard members might be assigned non-law enforcement tasks, similar to what she observed in Washington D.C., such as picking up garbage or planting flowers.
• ⚖️ She highlighted that most National Guard members are not law enforcement officers, making their involvement in law enforcement operations potentially illegal.

Local Control and Coordination

• 🤝 While open to communication, Palachek emphasized that Chicago residents feel safe and want to take care of their own city.
• 🚫 She believes that "weaponizing National Guard members against our own communities" is not the correct approach.
• 📞 The governor has noted a lack of communication from the White House regarding any potential National Guard deployment plan.

Perception vs. Reality of Chicago Crime

• 🏙️ Palachek countered the perception of Chicago as a crime-ridden city, stating that most Chicagoans do not feel that way and that crime is on a decline.
• 🎯 She believes that interventions should be handled by internal forces, local, and state leaders, emphasizing the importance of having the right people for the right jobs.