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Democrat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is under fire after posing for a picture alongside a Chicago-area resident involved in the city’s “peacekeeper” program, who just days later was charged in a fatal crash-and-grab robbery that resulted in the death of a soon-to-be father.
Pritzker’s office confirmed to Fox News that it removed a photo within an official government press release of the governor and the man donning a “peacekeepers program” vest, identified as Kellen McMiller, who was charged last week in connection with the deadly burglary. The photo with Pitzker was taken as part of a week-long initiative where the governor traveled to various locations around Chicago to meet with different community leaders, such as school administrators, community violence interventionists, and local business leaders.
Meanwhile, court records showed that at the time McMiller posed with his photo next to Illinois’ highest ranking official, he had four outstanding arrest warrants, the Chicago-Sun Times reported.
PRITZKER URGED TO AVOID PLAYING POLITICS ON CRIME ISSUE BY FORMER OBAMA ADVISOR
Gov. JB Pritzker is seen at a press conference at the Metropolitan Peace Academy in Chicago earlier this month to highlight the work of leaders and volunteers from Community Violence Intervention organizations across the Chicago area. On the left is the mugshot of Kellen McMiller. (Getty Images/Chicago Police Department)
In response to the photo faux-pas, Pritzker’s office put out a statement indicating they were “extremely troubled” to learn of McMiller’s arrest and his alleged involvement in a fatal robbery.
“The Governor meets hundreds of people in communities every week and is often asked to take photos,” a Pritzker spokesperson said in a statement shared with the media. “We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The Governor will keep doing everything in his power to fight crime, keep our neighborhoods safe, and support community violence intervention, which have been proven to work. For example, the Peacekeepers Program has a strong track record reducing violent crime by 41% over the past two years and providing community members with a path towards rehabilitation.”
McMiller, who is 35-years-old, was charged with murder, burglary and retail theft alongside six co-defendants…
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