- Published: Thursday, April 12, 2018 10:02 PM
SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois senate passed a resolution today condemning Gov. Bruce Rauner’s statement that he would comply should President Donald Trump order Illinois National Guard soldiers to the Mexican border.
State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago), son of immigrants and Illinois Latino Caucus co-chair, sponsored the measure, Senate Resolution 1593, and had strong words for the governor.
“Gov. Rauner’s inability to stand up against the president’s racism and intolerance of the immigrant community is shameful,” Sandoval said. “Sending Illinois National Guard soldiers to the border is a misuse of taxpayer dollars, a disservice to Illinoisans who may need their services and insulting to a nation our state has strong ties to. Our immigrant communities deserve better from the governor.”
The Illinois National Guard helps Illinoisans during floods, snowstorms, tornadoes and other disasters. Its mission is to “provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law,” and it is only called by the president to serve outside the state in emergencies or dire situations.
Other situations warranting deployment of the National Guard include the ongoing War on Terror, which has been utilizing Guardsmen since America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.