Though No Specific Threats, State Capitol Complex Remains Locked Down
Illinois National Guard troops block streets outside of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield over the weekend. Though authorities say no specific threats against the Capitol have been made, they remain on alert ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday.
The streets surrounding the Illinois State Capitol looked more like a warzone checkpoint than the welcoming public building in downtown Springfield that often awaits lawmakers, staff, and visitors.
After the insurrectionist raid on the United States Capitol on January 6, Governor JB Pritzker called up members of the Illinois National Guard to help secure the Illinois Capitol in lieu of potential violence ahead of the presidential inauguration Wednesday.
Pritzker cited FBI intelligence of “actionable intelligence” of further violence, but it does not appear the Illinois Capitol or Springfield were ever mentioned as potential targets.
Lt. Colonel Brad Leighton of the Illinois National Guard says around 250 guardsmen, mostly from the 2nd Battalion of the 123rd Field Artillery Regiment based in Milan, near the Quad Cities, were dispatched to Springfield.
Trooper Mindy Carroll of the Illinois State Police in Springfield says ISP was “tracking possible events at the Illinois Capitol building this past weekend.” Though, no protests or violence occurred.
Secretary of State Police is in charge of protection of the Capitol Complex in Springfield. Secretary of State’s office spokesperson Henry Haupt says even though there wasn’t any ruckus in Springfield this weekend doesn’t mean the added presence wasn’t needed.
“Law enforcement efforts have been very effective,” he said.
Guardsmen in full protective gear with rifles and sidearms have blocked off streets around the Illinois Capitol, adding a military presence nearly unrecognizable in Springfield in recent years.
Leighton says he understands the sight of armed military on the street can be startling to some.
“The image of soldiers in the streets with gear and rifles and sidearms can be intimidating,” he said. “For a lot of people, seeing the Guard is a comfortable site.”
While it remains uncertain what kind of threat, if any, the Capitol Complex faces between now and Wednesday, Haupt says law enforcement is taking now chances.
“The Illinois Secretary of State Capitol Police remain vigilant to ensure the Illinois Capitol Complex is safe and secure,” he said. “The Capitol Police continue to work with the Illinois State Police and other law enforcement entities to make sure the complex and surrounding area remain safe. This includes, out of an abundance of caution, having temporarily affixed plywood over certain windows of the Illinois Capitol Building.”
If nothing comes of any of the threats and guardsmen and police have locked down the area for multiple days with no issues, Leighton says that’s ok.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.