At the request of the City of Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker is activating 125 personnel from the Illinois National Guard to stand by to support the Chicago Police Department with a verdict expected in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Members of the Guard will deploy to Chicago beginning tomorrow, April 20, to pre-position and support the Chicago Police Department as needed.

The Illinois National Guard will carry out a limited mission to help manage street closures and will not interfere with peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights, much the same role as Guard members played in previous deployments. Governor Pritzker also directed the Illinois State Police (ISP) to support the Chicago Police Department with additional troopers.  The troopers will work closely with the Chicago Police Department and other local law enforcement, supporting efforts to keep the community safe. The State Emergency Operations Center is monitoring operations throughout the state and is poised to fulfill requests from local governments, if they arise. Soldiers assigned to this mission are from the Illinois National Guard’s 33rd Military Police Battalion.  These individuals are specially trained in riot control operations.  The 33rd Military Police Battalion is comprised of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, based in Machesney Park, the 233rd Military Police Company, based in Springfield, the 333rd Military Police Company, based in Freeport, and the 933rd Military Police Company, based in Fort Sheridan.  The battalion is drawing Soldiers from each of these companies.