Birkett critical of governor's offer to Chicago

Days after Gov. Rod Blagojevich suggested offering state police manpower to curb Chicago's "out of control" crime rate, one of his most vocal critics in law enforcement chastised the idea as unrealistic.

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett said the governor has failed to adequately fund the Illinois State Police to allow enough troopers patrolling state highways, much less to work the city's streets.

"Under your leadership," Birkett wrote in a letter to the governor, "Illinois has no strategy in place to adequately protect our citizens from street gangs and the threats that they pose to our citizens."

"I urge you to provide the resources to the Illinois State Police to allow them to do the job they are ready, willing and able to do and stop disparaging the Chicago Police Department who, in my opinion, have done an outstanding job in their fight against street gangs."

Birkett, president of the state prosecutors' association, also urged the governor to reinstate a statewide anti-gang unit that the Illinois State Police once operated closely with the Chicago police.

In response, the Democratic governor's camp suggested the Republican prosecutor is just playing politics. Birkett, who ran twice unsuccessfully for attorney general and lieutenant governor, is eyeing a possible third attempt at statewide office.

"Any of State's Attorney Birkett's concerns will be addressed," spokesman Lucio Guerrero said. "But only if they are operational and not political. We don't see this as a game. We're taking this very seriously."

He said top officials with the Illinois State Police and the Chicago Police Department will meet Monday and Tuesday to plan ways they may work together.

Ironically, some of Blagojevich's critics have said it is he who is playing politics in suggesting the union in an attempt to ruffle Mayor Richard Daley's feathers. The governor denies the announcement, which came Wednesday at a bill signing, was politically motivated.

For his part, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said at a Thursday news conference that he welcomes any possible Illinois State Police support. However, he argued reports of an increase in Chicago crime, including a 13-percent jump in homicides, though a concern, have been exaggerated.