CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson were sounding notes of defiance amid the continuing threats by President Trump and his administration about mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
The mayor and the governor appeared together at a ribbon-cutting on Chicago’s West Side.
When Pritzker was asked for an update on any potential raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents, he said he has no updates because the administration is not giving out any information. He said that is part of a plan to sow confusion and fear.
“That is an indication to all of you that it's all about chaos and confusion. It is not about accomplishing something,” Pritzker told reporters.
He said the State will not cooperate with ICE Agents and Johnson reiterated that the City and State would protect law-abiding immigrants.
The mayor criticized the president for eliminating rules to keep ICE from entering schools and churches.
“Any notion that would use public spaces like Churches and schools, these sanctities, these sanctuaries, as a way to create political divide is not only unconscionable, but it’s reprehensible,” Johnson said.
At the West Side ribbon-cutting, former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel scolded the new Trump Administration for its rollback of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
As Mayor, in 2018 Emanuel’s administration and the State gave financial help to The Will Group to establish an LED light manufacturing operation on the West Side. Now it’s grown into a new K-Town Business Center.
Emanuel noted that the White House and others insist that diversity and equity goals are a bad thing. But, he looked around at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“A neighborhood that didn’t know what hope was now knows what hope is,” Emanuel said. “That is what diversity, equity and inclusion look like. It’s right here in North Lawndale.”
The governor, mayor and other officials were there providing more support for the business that will bring 100 new jobs to the area.
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