Pritzker activates Illinois National Guard to bolster security in Springfield

Posted on January 15, 2021
The Illinois National Guard will not interfere with peaceful protestors exercising their first amendment rights, according to a news release Friday. (Facebook/Illinois National Guard)

 

By Neil Doyle

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has activated 250 members of the Illinois National Guard for State Active Duty in response to the warnings issued this week by the FBI regarding threats to state capital cities in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The Illinois National Guard will not interfere with peaceful protestors exercising their first amendment rights, according to a news release Friday. The role of the soldiers is to aide local authorities in enforcing street closures and designated perimeters.

“Following the violent siege at our nation’s capitol and reports from federal law enforcement on threats to state capitals, I am bringing all resources to bear to protect our residents and our democratic process,” said Pritzker. “Our exemplary members of the Illinois National Guard will be working closely with our State Police as well as local and federal authorities to keep our capital city safe. We will continue to be fully transparent with the public on any new information and the steps we are taking to respond.”

At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, the governor also activated an additional 100 members of the Illinois National Guard in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. These additional troops will join the approximately 200 members of the Guard that were previously activated by the governor.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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