Gov. Quinn Open To Using National Guard To Fight Chicago Gun Violence

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he's open to sending National Guard troops or state police to assist Chicago police with curbing violence if city officials want the help.

He says state police have helped in places like East St. Louis, but only when local authorities coordinate things.

Quinn says he hasn't been approached by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yet.

The governor's comments follow a mass shooting at a park on Chicago's southwest side Thursday night. Thirteen people were wounded, including a 3-year-old boy.

That shooting happened in an area that Chicago's top police official referred to as a "high gang-conflict zone." The park is between two other areas that police have flooded with officers as part of stepped-up patrols.

It's not the first time state resources have been considered for the city's violence problem. The issue was brought up in 2008.