Christine Shanahan McGovern calls out opponent Sen. Bill Cunningham for supporting criminals
Christine Shanahan McGovern calls out opponent Sen. Bill Cunningham for supporting criminals
Shanahan McGovern is the Republican candidate for the 18th Senate District
Candidate Statement
7/19/22
“My heart goes out to the members of the Chicago Police Department. Sadly the CPD officers have suffered multiple tragedies this week alone. PTSD is real! Many Police Officers have to deal with extra stress because of the changes in Police work and lack of support. My thoughts and prayers are with the men and women who put on their uniform every day to risk their lives to protect us and our neighborhoods. There is a war on Police happening right now. Violent criminals are targeting our officers on and off-duty. Just last week an off duty police officer was shot after an altercation that did not involve him. He survived the shooting, but his future is forever changed. His fiancée called out Mayor Lightfoot as disgusting for not even acknowledging his heroic actions. Would we expect anything different after the attack at Columbus Statue? Remember the hotline for criminals "abused" by our police with no regard to our over 40 injured officers.
The streets of Chicago are being taken over by violent criminals who do not fear the Police, Prosecutors, or the Judges. The city has become a testing ground for a social activist's agenda. This started with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. Both want to relax arrests and criminal prosecutions of violent offenders. They cried that these criminals were victims of society and deserved second chances, including those that were arrested for murder. They complained that they could not afford bail. This led to the creation of Bill HB3653, which criminalizes the Police and gives a pass to the criminals. We are living a real life game of Monopoly where criminals pass Go and get out of Jail Free. This bill was a slap in the face to every Police Officer in the city of Chicago and the entire state of Illinois. Because of this bill, after January thousands of murderers and violent offenders will be released back into the streets. If they fail to appear in court, they will be served with a summons to appear instead of a warrant to be placed under arrest to see a judge. Police will no longer have the authority to arrest criminals for most offenses. Because of this bill they will be issued a ticket. Our prosecutors and courts have already failed us law abiding citizens. Trust me, after talking to many Sheriffs and listening to District Attorneys it will only get increasingly unsafe. The Safe T act will place officers' lives in danger because there will no longer be penalties to attack our Police. Right now, if a criminal that is in possession of a gun or drugs will no longer be pursued let alone be arrested. Police officers' hands are tied because of the politicians and this no pursuit policy!
I am calling out the “leaders” that created this anti-Police agenda. I'm calling out Lori Lightfoot and Kim Foxx for creating this atmosphere that criminalizes the Police and has no accountability for criminals. Furthermore, I'm also calling out my opponent, Sen. Bill Cunningham, that looks the other way as this goes on. He had a chance to stand strong for the Police and use his leadership role to fight against the bill. Because of his inaction the bill passed. He knew better, being in Democratic leadership. Now he says he wants to fight for the Police. He should have fought for the police during the reading of the bill to prevent this disastrous situation we are in now. We got here because of Democrats! Our communities are not safe because of Democrats! Sponsoring a bill for a day off is a ploy because it is an election year. Where was he these past two years? Why is our community under protected? Why do we need a private watch group to protect our community? This is a facade for temporary support in an election year. I'm also calling out John Catanzara for praising Cunningham and supporting and donating to Democrats that support the anti-Police agenda. This year, the lodge endorsed 27 Democrats and only 7 Republicans. The Republicans are the only ones standing up for our Police. I stand up for the police and there is no question about this!
It's time that we rise up and fight back against the anti-Police agenda created by the Democrats. When elected, my first job will be to recall HB3653. I will create bills to fight the violent criminals that are attacking our innocent family members and businesses. I will not stand idly by watching these criminals who commit crimes without punishment. We need to create stricter laws and build more jails. It's not a time for second chances, but more jail time. It's about saving innocent lives and protecting our brave Police Officers. We need to create more funding to challenge the drug cartels using Chicago as a hub for their operations. Illinois in 2021 had 300 overdose deaths, twice the number of homicides deaths in Illinois alone. Also, paramedics responded to over 20,000 ambulance calls that year as well. We have to curb the flow of illegal guns that are falling into the hands of the carjackers. 800 of the homicides in Illinois are committed in Chicago. The rest of Illinois combined had only 553 homicides. Chicago is out-of-control thanks to the Democratic agenda of second chances for violent felons!
This November, I'm asking you for your support. Please give me your trust so we can make Illinois safer again. My opponent has done nothing to make our streets safer. He has contributed to the murders and violent crimes because of his inaction and support of the very party that created the anti-Police bill. He is negligent because he is part of the leadership that contributed to this havoc because of their passing of HB3653. I will stand and protect our Police. I am one of the founders of “Back the Blue” a pro-Police organization. I promise you this, I will back our Police and hold the criminals more accountable. We can no longer play the real life game of Monopoly. Criminals belong in jail. It is time to protect our communities and businesses. Illinois' future is at stake. Together we can Rise Up for Change to protect our Faith, Family, and Freedom!”
Regards,
Christine Shanahan McGovern, Candidate for Illinois Senate 18