Illinois leaders react after U.S. military strike on Iran

Illinois leaders issued statements late Saturday night following news of the U.S. military’s strike on three sites in Iran, as President Donald Trump and his administration joined Israel’s effort to destroy Iran’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a frequent critic of Trump, said the following on his X feed:

“Following the escalation in Iran, I’m keeping a close eye in consultation with federal authorities and Illinois State Police. There are no known threats to our state at this time. I’ll continue to receive briefings as we remain vigilant to ensure the safety of Illinois residents.”

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth also issued a statement on her X feed, calling the bombing “illegal and unjustified.” Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran and a Purple Heart recipient who was among the first handful of U.S. Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I ran for Congress to make sure our leaders consider the true costs of war,” Duckworth posted. “And I will be in the Senate, standing on my titanium legs, demanding answers from Trump.”

Her official statement reads, in part:

“The Trump Administration illegally bombed Iran tonight, putting American troops at risk of retaliation and threatening to draw us into yet another Middle East war without Constitutionally-required Congressional approval. I have long said Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. But this goal could and should have been pursued through diplomatic means first.”

U.S. Rep. Abelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) also issued a statement condemning the Trump administration’s bombing of Iran, saying:

“Trump is proving yet again how dangerous and unhinged he is on a world stage. He has allowed Israel to drag Americans into a war we don’t want. His decision to bomb Iran is unlawful, immoral, and incredibly destabilizing. Trump is playing with the lives of innocent Iranians, American service people, and the rest of us.

“I join in the bipartisan condemnation of Trump’s illegal escalation to war. Israel’s leaders have been urging him to bomb Iran. He should have said no. The American people have no appetite to go into another disastrous war in the Middle East.”

Another Chicagoland congressman, U.S. Rep Frank Mrvan, a Democrat who represents Indiana’s 1st District in the northwest corner of the state, joined Duckworth in saying Iran should not have nuclear weapons — but the Trump administration did not act accordingly with the Constitution by consulting with Congress.

Mrvan’s statement reads:

“Let me be clear, no one believes Iran should be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. 

“However, the decision to conduct military action and send our brave service members into harm’s way must only be made after deliberate and careful consideration, in close consultation with Congress and a coalition of our allies.

“I do not believe that the Administration’s decision has met that standard in this instance.

“Our priority now must be to re-engage with our allies and Israel to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, and prevent our nation from being drawn into another prolonged military conflict in the region.

“The Administration must also fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities to communicate with Congress on this situation and to do so without delay.”

Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, meanwhile, posted in support of destroying Iran’s nuclear capability on his X feed, saying:

“Thank you to our brave service members who executed this mission. The world will be safer if Iran’s nuclear capability is destroyed. I look forward to briefings in the coming days.”