Illinois National Guard Deployed Ahead Of Chauvin Verdict

CHICAGO— Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday he would activate the Illinois National Guard to the City of Chicago on Tuesday in anticipation of the Derek Chauvin trial verdict.

A statement from the governor's office said 125 members of the National Guard will arrive in the city on Tuesday morning to assist the Chicago Police Department if needed. The move was at the request of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who said in a press release she wanted to be "fully prepared."

"Our city has a long history of peacefully expressing its First Amendment rights," said Lightfoot, "and I encourage residents to exercise their rights to free speech this coming week thoughtfully, respectfully and peacefully."

According to the governor's office, the Illinois State Police will also support CPD on Tuesday and the coming days.

The announcement is familiar to many Chicagoans, who remember when almost 400 members of the Illinois National Guard were deployed to Chicago last summer following the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's May 2020 death. The jury began deliberations Monday.