(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Comments by the governor of Texas about violence in the city of Chicago have triggered some sharp responses from office-holders in Illinois.
“This is a man who is determined to be in a race to the bottom,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who during a news conference on the school massacre in his state, mentioned Chicago's gun violence.
“I hate to say this but there are more people who were shot every weekend in Chicago than there are schools in Texas.
“People who think maybe we could just implement tougher gun laws is going to solve it. Chicago and LA and New York disprove that thesis,” Abbott said.
Mayor Lightfoot lashed out at Abbott’s comments.
“It’s a long-standing Republican trope to put a city like Chicago in their mouths and criticize us. But, the fact of the matter is, that guy needs to focus on taking care of business there.
“He’s obviously trying to burnish his credentials for what is likely a run for president and he’s doing that, frankly, at the expense of people in that state, particularly working class folks,” Lightfoot said.
“It was appalling that the governor of a state where such a horrific tragedy occurred would spend his time deflecting,” tweeted Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Governor JB Pritzker weighed in.
“Shame on you, Governor Abbott. You are lying about Chicago and what actually perpetuates gun violence. Do better,” Pritzker tweeted.
Ald. Gilbert Villegas also tweeted that Abbott should keep Chicago’s name out of his mouth.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
