Rauner rejects National Guard as way to quell Chicago violence

As Chicago capped off its deadliest month in almost 20 years, Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday ruled out the idea of deploying the National Guard to help combat street violence in the city, saying that to do so would be an "emotional" reaction that "wouldn't make sense."

The Republican governor said he had discussed the concept with community leaders, police officers and the National Guard, but that "no thoughtful leader thinks that's a good idea or would really provide a solution."

The question arose as the Rev. Michael Pfleger, a priest and community activist, planned a Wednesday evening rally at his South Side church to pressure Rauner to declare a state of emergency in order to tap federal resources to help deal with the violence problem. Chicago has racked up more homicides and shootings this year than New York and Los Angeles combined.

Taking questions after a speech to insurance agents in Naperville, Rauner said Chicago was facing a "crisis." But the governor wouldn't say if he thought the situation had reached "emergency" status, deflecting the question as a "technical term."

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