Will County Gazette

Patrick Sheehan, a state representative from Illinois, has expressed disagreement with Governor JB Pritzker's decision to reject National Guard assistance in Chicago. Sheehan emphasized that the protection of residents should take precedence over political considerations. He made this statement on the social media platform X.

"Chicago saw another weekend of violent crime," said Patrick T Sheehan. "Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson say they don't want the President calling in the National Guard to help protect families. Last year, the Governor had no problem deploying the Guard to protect his friends at the DNC in Chicago. Enough political games, Governor. Public safety must come first!"

Chicago has seen a decline in violent crime rates following historic highs during the pandemic. The University of Chicago Crime Lab reported reductions in homicides and shootings in 2024 compared to 2023. The City of Chicago noted further declines in violent crime in 2025, attributing these improvements to targeted policing and youth programs. Statewide, Illinois eliminated cash bail in September 2023 after a Supreme Court ruling, reshaping pretrial policy. These developments continue to shape debates about policing and public safety.

In 2024, Chicago recorded 573 murders, 2,282 shooting incidents, and 2,758 shooting victims—declines of 8%, 7%, and 4% respectively from the previous year. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) also reported recovering over 12,700 firearms and observed five consecutive months of decreasing robberies by year's end. Local coverage highlighted that it was the first time since 2019 that murders fell below 600.

The Illinois National Guard's activity in Chicago over the past five years has been limited to specific missions. In May 2020, during civil unrest, 375 Guard members were deployed; another deployment occurred in April 2021 during the Chauvin verdict with 125 members; and about 75 were activated for migrant support in September 2022. Smaller call-ups have also occurred for flood responses. No Guard units have been activated in Chicago during 2025 despite federal discussions.

Sheehan is a Republican member of the Illinois House representing the state's 37th District. He was appointed in April 2024 to fill a vacancy and has nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement along with involvement in local youth sports leadership and community work. His legislative focus includes public safety and suburban issues relevant to his district.