“Calling violence in Chicago ‘out of control,’ Gov. Blagojevich on Wednesday offered to lend state troopers and National Guard helicopters to the city to augment the Chicago Police. The governor is considering forming an ‘elite tactical team’ to help the Chicago Police fight gang problems, a source said, adding that the unit could later be sent across the state to deal with gang problems at any city’s request. ‘It’s fair to say that violent crime in Chicago is out of control. In certain communities in the city of Chicago, it is reaching epidemic proportions,’ Blagojevich told reporters at a [victim disarmament] bill-signing ceremony in Chicago.” (07/17/08)