As founder and president of Violence Interrupters Inc., I’ve dedicated my life to preventing violence and mediating disputes in Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods.
President Donald Trump’s announced intention to send the National Guard to Chicago has sparked a heated debate. While Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker view this federal intervention as overreach, it presents an opportunity for meaningful change.
The underlying problems that contribute to violence in our city are deeply rooted in poverty, inadequate housing, unemployment, underperforming public schools, an underfunded transportation system, rising health care costs, disparities in pay, and systemic racism and discrimination. These issues have plagued neighborhoods such as Austin, Englewood, Garfield Park, Lawndale and Roseland for decades. It is time for both Republicans and Democrats to put their differences aside and address these root causes.
President Trump, I invite you to come to Chicago and see the challenges we face firsthand. Meet with the residents, walk the streets and understand the complexities of our situation. This is not the first time you have threatened to send federal troops to our city, but this time, let it be different. Let it be a genuine effort to make a better America for all.
Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker, I urge you to collaborate with the president and find common ground. The safety and well-being of our communities should be our top priority. Together, we can develop comprehensive solutions that go beyond short-term fixes and address the systemic issues at the heart of the problem.
While overall crime rates in Chicago and other cities have been declining, the most distressed areas of the city continue to experience elevated levels of crime and violence. According to the University of Chicago, violent crime across the city has fallen by 17.8% in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same period last year.
Despite the drop, some of the city’s most distressed neighborhoods have experienced disproportionate levels of violence, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
From July 2024 through July 2025, Austin was the most lethal neighborhood, with a staggering 47 homicides over the past 12 months, the Illinois Policy Institute reported. Garfield Park had 31, and Englewood 26. North Lawndale, Roseland, Humboldt Park, Back of the Yards and Greater Grand Crossing also suffer extreme violence levels, consistently topping citywide charts.
The jury is still out on the role the National Guard would play in Chicago. The city has a long and complex history with National Guard deployments, often tied to moments of civil unrest or political tension. Here are a few key instances:
- The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. assassination (1968): Following King’s assassination, riots broke out in many U.S. cities, including Chicago. The National Guard was called in to restore order, but the deployment underscored racial tensions and distrust between communities and authorities.
- Democratic National Convention (1968): Amid the Vietnam War and civil rights protests, thousands of demonstrators converged on Chicago. Violent clashes erupted between protesters and law enforcement, and the Guard’s presence was criticized for escalating tensions.
- George Floyd protests (2020): Protests erupted nationwide after the police killing of George Floyd. Gov. JB Pritzker activated the Illinois National Guard to assist Chicago police. While the Guard helped quell violence, the deployment highlighted the ongoing issues of racial inequality and police-community relations.
The challenges we face are not about politics; they are about humanity. Saving lives and creating safer communities should be a bipartisan effort. By working together, we can leverage the strengths and resources of both the federal and local governments to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence. This collaboration is not just beneficial; it is essential to creating a safer, more equitable Chicago for all residents.
With Chicago in the spotlight and the nation’s attention, let us set aside politics and address this chronic problem that has been ingrained in our nation’s fabric for decades. The time for action is now; the urgency is palpable.
Tio Hardiman is founder and president of the Chicago-based Violence Interrupters Inc.