State, local leaders react to Orlando nightclub attack

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner ordered flags flown at half staff at state facilities until sunset Thursday in recognition of the victims of Sunday's shooting in Orlando, echoing a similar command for the White House and federal buildings from President Barack Obama.

"It was heartbreaking to learn about the tragic massacre in Orlando, Florida," Rauner's statement reads. "To target a community in celebration is deplorable. The State of Illinois stands with those in the State of Florida, and in honor of the victims, I am ordering all flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately. Please join me and Diana in praying for all those affected by this senseless tragedy."

Other political and religious leaders from across the region reacted as well Sunday.

Archbishop Blase Cupich: "Our prayers and hearts are with the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, their families and our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. We are grateful to the first responders and civilians who heroically put themselves in harm's way, providing an enduring reminder of what compassion and bravery look like - even in the face of such horror and danger. In response to hatred, we are called to sow love. In response to violence, peace. And, in response to intolerance, tolerance. The people of the Archdiocese of Chicago stand with the victims and their loved ones, and reaffirm our commitment, with Pope Francis, to address the causes of such tragedy, including easy access to deadly weapons. We can no longer stand by and do nothing."

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle: "The horrific massacre in Orlando is another unfortunate example of how hate and intolerance have no place in a civil and caring society. My condolences go out to the families and friends of all who were caught up in this senseless act of violence. Our strength as a nation is our diversity, and as such we must promote respect, education and tolerance so that we are not confronted with yet another sad chapter in what has become an all-too-common tale of bloodshed in recent years."

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin: "This morning's mass shooting was the worst in American history. 50 people were massacred and dozens more injured when a heavily armed man opened fire on innocent people. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the victims and their loved ones, and I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community in Orlando and across America. These mass shootings follow an increasingly tragic script: the public is heartbroken and outraged, first responders and law enforcement do their grim duty, and Congress proposes a slew of policy proposals and argues over whether any of them could have prevented the last tragedy. But when the debates end and nothing has changed, Congress makes itself complicit in the next killing. We have the power to act, and we must. The bottom line is that we allow dangerous people to buy guns in America and that has got to change. In the coming days, Congress must take a stand against hate, terrorism, and this horrific gun violence."

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this hateful terrorist act that targeted the Orlando gay community. Gunman Omar Mateen's motivations remind us of the immediate threat the Islamic State poses to our country and the need for swift action to protect Americans from future attacks here at home."

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth: "Today's hateful terror attack at Orlando's Pulse nightclub - a mass shooting targeting our LGBTQ community during this year's pride celebrations - is absolutely heartbreaking and profoundly cowardly. My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, their friends and their loved ones today. I also wish to thank the law enforcement officials, first responders and all those who acted with bravery, courage and heroism in the face of the most deadly shooting in our nation's history. They represent the America I fought to defend. As the President reminded the American people just moments ago, we must stand united as Americans, love one another and never turn against each other in the face of fear."

U.S. Rep. Bob Dold: "Our collective hearts break for the victims and all the families suffering unimaginable pain today due to the horrifying terror attack that targeted America's LGBT community. This hateful attack reminds us once more that the growing threat of ISIS-inspired, radical Islamic terrorism on U.S. soil is real and cannot be ignored or downplayed. An attack on one American is an attack on us all; we cannot allow the tired, partisan bickering to distract us from the difficult but necessary work of defeating terrorism, preventing gun violence and putting an end to hateful bigotry of all kinds."