Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Dan Schaefer are joined in studio by Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas.

Villegas discussed the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago, criticizing it as a waste of resources.

"I've been on record as telling the federal government, if you want to send federal resources, you want to help us with crime, let's talk," Villegas told Vasquez. "Let's figure out where we can get ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] to deal with illegal guns, DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] to deal with fentanyl and drugs, and then the Department of Justice to figure out, we have these drug rings and these gangs, let's figure out how to do this. But if you're just going to send troops to Michigan Avenue or along the river, you're not sending them to where people are really looking for some assistance."

Villegas also emphasized the importance of universal basic income, citing a pilot program that distributed $500 monthly to 1,000 residents. He called for federal support for local law enforcement and immigration reform, stressing the need for accountability and justice in dealing with federal agents' actions.

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

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