CHICAGO (WLS) — Gov. JB Pritzker joined in a briefing with different American governors Sunday from Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem amid tensions within the Center East.
On Monday, Iran launched missiles focusing on a U.S. base in Qatar after Israel and Iran fired extra strikes at one another in a single day a day after Operation Midnight Hammer.
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Earlier than President Donald Trump introduced a ceasefire settlement between Israel and Iran later Monday, Homeland Safety and the FBI warned state and native officers that the strikes have “raised the menace surroundings.”
The Chicago Police Division stated it’s carefully monitoring the occasions within the Center East.
College of Chicago Political Science Professor Robert A. Pape joined ABC7 to debate what would possibly occurs subsequent after Iran hit again on the U.S.
“Whereas there isn’t any actionable intelligence in Chicago right now, we’re carefully speaking with our federal and state companions to obtain updates to make sure adequate sources are in place all through the town,” CPD stated.
Illinois State Police launched an announcement, saying, “The ISP Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Middle (STIC) works with native, state, and federal regulation enforcement and public security companions to observe for and establish potential threats. Presently, no credible threats have been recognized and we stay vigilant. The general public is crucial in our collective security and safety. We ask the general public to report any suspicious exercise to native authorities, who’re in direct communication with STIC.”
And Northwestern College launched an announcement, saying, “Northwestern College management in Evanston has been in constant contact with our counterparts in Doha. The College has measures in place to make sure all college, employees and college students on our Doha campus are well-informed and protected. The protection and safety of our group is and stays our prime precedence.”
Pritzker stated on X that he is holding a detailed eye and is in session with federal authorities. However there aren’t any identified native threats right now.
In the meantime, there are main questions on how a lot of Iran’s nuclear program was destroyed in Saturday’s assault.
Trump says the services have been “obliterated.”
Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, launched an announcement, saying, “Iran is the main state sponsor of terrorism and permitting them to develop a nuclear weapon would have devastating penalties for the US, our companions within the Center East, and allies around the globe. President Trump used his constitutional authority to guard the US and direct our courageous service members to conduct an exceptionally exact and profitable mission in opposition to three of Iran’s nuclear websites. Whereas the protection and lives of American troops are all the time our primary precedence, Iran’s telegraphed response, focusing on two U.S. navy bases within the area, exhibits how weak the authoritarian regime has actually grow to be. In my position on the Home Intelligence Committee, I’ll proceed to observe occasions within the area as we transfer ahead.”
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers says it is too early to inform the total scope.
“Closing battle harm will take a while, however preliminary battle harm evaluation point out that every one three websites sustained extraordinarily extreme harm and destruction,” Gen. Dan Caine stated.
Satellite tv for pc imagery exhibits the harm to the three nuclear services focused within the assault.
The Trump administration has stated the Fordow facility, constructed underground, was a key goal.
That is the place the 30,000-pound “bunker buster bombs” have been dropped.
From the sky, the one harm that may be seen are the holes the bombs created, after they dug into the bottom earlier than exploding.
“We actually cannot know what went on beneath the bottom in Fordow. The president known as it a monumental success, however it all occurred 200 toes down, and we won’t see with satellites,” Col. Steve Ganyard stated.
Israel and Iran traded missile assaults Monday earlier than Trump introduced the ceasefire settlement.
In a single video circulating on-line, a big blast might be seen on the website of {an electrical} substation in Israel.
International coverage consultants are calling Iran’s retaliation a symbolic tit-for-tat.
“A variety of these assaults proper now are in some ways symbolic, sort of permitting each side to have the ability to say they’ve taken motion, however with out having to really endure, if you’ll, the results of those actions,” stated College of Chicago Political Science Affiliate Professor Paul Previous.
However North Shore Congressman Brad Schneider says the assault shouldn’t be perceived frivolously.
Congressman Mike Quigley is anxious that continued retaliation from Iran might come within the type of terrorism.
“I am not going to be dismissive of this by any means. Iran has threatened the US for the reason that regime took over in 1979 chanting Dying to America, Dying to Israel,” stated Schneider, D-Illinois.
Schneider is a powerful supporter of Israel. He travelled to the Center East final week. Whereas he prefers diplomacy, he’s supportive of something that rids or strikes Iran’s nuclear program again.
“The constant message was {that a} nuclear armed Iran is a menace to each nation within the Gulf area and within the broader Center East, however all of them need the de-escalation,” Schneider stated.
Earlier Monday, earlier than the ceasefire settlement was introduced, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley stated he was involved that continued retaliation might come within the type of terrorism.
“Iran might be the best state sponsor of terror on the planet, they usually have extraordinary capabilities. So clearly, we’re involved concerning the homeland and repair members,” stated Quigley, D-Illinois.
Quigley, Schneider and Trump hope diplomacy ends the state of affairs with the US rapidly, however the president has been down this street earlier than, unsuccessfully.
“It is vital to do not forget that when he pulled out of the unique Iran deal that was brokered by President Barack Obama, he claimed he was going to provide you with a brand new deal immediately. He failed to try this, however I nonetheless suppose that is one thing that he is involved in attempting to realize,” Previous stated.
The ceasefire announcement got here after Trump floated the concept of a regime change in Iran.
Trump posted on-line, “If the present Iranian regime is unable to make Iran nice once more, why would not there be a regime change?”
The vice chairman has stated that is not their purpose.
“Properly to begin with, we do not wish to obtain regime change; we wish to obtain the tip of the Iranian nuclear program,” Vice President JD Vance stated.
“In the event that they refuse to interact in diplomacy transferring ahead, why should not the Iranian folks stand up in opposition to this brutal terrorist regime? That is a query the president raised final night time,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Monday morning.
Regionally, organizations who oppose U.S. involvement organized an anti-war protest at 5 p.m. Monday at Federal Plaza.
Dr. Louis Kraus, who leads Rush’s little one and adolescent psychiatry efforts, stated it is regular to really feel anxious or fearful amid escalating tensions within the Center East.
How one can course of worry and anxiousness amid escalating rigidity within the Center East.
He gave some suggestions Monday on how you can course of these “out of our management” occasions.
Kraus stated it is vital to not present anxiousness to kids, anticipate them to deliver up considerations and supply them assurance every little thing shall be OK.
Full assertion from Pritzker’s workplace:
“Amid the continued battle within the Center East, Governor Pritzker has been receiving briefings from federal, state, and native regulation enforcement to proceed assessing potential bodily or cyber threats that might influence Illinois.
On Sunday, June 22, Governor Pritzker participated in a U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) public security and safety briefing for Governors. DHS issued a brand new Nationwide Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin outlining a heightened menace surroundings in the US, which incorporates offering data and sources for native authorities and public security officers. In the present day, Monday, June 23, Governor Pritzker spoke with officers from the Illinois State Police, Illinois Nationwide Guard, Illinois Emergency Administration Company, and different native regulation enforcement.
Governor Pritzker will proceed receiving briefings and making certain regulation enforcement stay vigilant to guard the protection of all Illinoisans.”
Assertion from Illinois Division of Innovation and Expertise (DoIT) to state staff:
“With every little thing taking place on the planet, it is vital we keep aware of the digital threats that may accompany instances of uncertainty. Whereas there may be presently no identified or particular menace to the State, adversaries typically look to make the most of distraction, confusion, or world occasions to launch cyberattacks – notably utilizing phishing, social engineering, and/or direct assaults on our techniques.
Your vigilance is certainly one of our strongest defenses.
If one thing does not appear proper – whether or not it is an surprising e-mail, a wierd login alert, or something that simply feels “off” – please do not ignore it.
What you are able to do:
1. Be cautious with e mail attachments and hyperlinks, even when they seem to come back from identified sources.
2. Do not share your username and password – with anybody, ever.
3. Report something uncommon or suspicious to DoIT.Safety@illinois.gov instantly.
Cybersecurity is a shared duty, and your consideration protects everybody. Thanks for doing all of your half to maintain the State of Illinois protected.”
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