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Gov. of Illinois will not send National Guard to Chicago to fight violence

74 People shot last weekend
Posted at 4:46 PM, Aug 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-08 16:46:50-04

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he will not dispatch the Illinois National Guard to Chicago to stem gun violence.

The Republican on Wednesday said that "the National Guard is not for neighborhood policing."

He dismissed suggestions that he call up the state militia after 74 people were shot in the city last weekend. At least 11 were killed.

Chicago police have ordered 600 additional officers to the affected neighborhoods through the weekend.

Rauner told reporters in Peoria that "the violence in Chicago is heartbreaking, it's got to end."

But he says state troops would only be appropriate for "a riot or some issue like that."

Rauner says ending violence will take improved economic opportunity by cutting state taxes and regulations and giving minorities more opportunities in state contracting.