SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois members of Congress said they no longer feel as safe as they used to at work, in the aftermath of the siege on the Capitol by Trump loyalists on Jan. 6.
U.S. Capitol police said threats against Congress members have more than doubled, and that’s a continuing concern for members of Illinois’ delegation.
Suburban Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the Jan. 6 insurrection showed that threats from homegrown violent extremists are real, and they must take whatever steps they can to stay safe.
It’s a bipartisan sense of unease. Central Illinois Republican Congressman Rodney Davis told the Associated Press he feels relatively safe on Capitol Hill, with the security fencing and police presence; but less so when he goes home to his family, in a district where security is considerably less.
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Schaumburg Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi told WBBM Newsradio much the same thing, and adds that sometimes he takes a “don’t ask don’t tell” posture about security measures when a police call pulls up and waits outside his home for a while, and then drives away. He doesn’t want to know the exact threat.
Meanwhile, on the House floor, Chicago Democrat Mike Quigley argued for the $1.9 billion supplemental bill beefing up security on Capitol Hill.
"No one should have to go to work afraid for their safety; none more than our public servants. We must protect our Democratic institutions, Congress to courts, and all federal agencies so no elected official or public servant ever goes to work scared to execute their duty," Quigley said.
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