Texas National Guard preps for Chicago deployment as feds stage in north suburbs, Gov. Pritzker says

CHICAGO -- It's unclear exactly when the National Guard and more ICE agents will be deployed in Chicago, but leaders are gearing up.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said President Donald Trump is positioning armed federal agents and military vehicles at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago.

Governor Pritzker also said staging began on Monday, with many of the federal agents being relocated from immigration operations in Los Angeles.

The governor said the Texas National Guard is preparing for a Chicago deployment.

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"The Trump plan is to use any excuse to deploy armed military personnel to Chicago. If someone flings a sandwich at an ICE agent, Trump will try to go on TV and declare an emergency in Chicago. I'm imploring everyone, if and when that happens, do not take the bait," Pritzker said.

Republican state Representative Martin McLaughlin says having guardsmen in Chicago could be a good move.

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"I'm trying to understand why an American in uniform standing on a street corner trying to protect other Americans is a threat to anyone," McLaughlin said. "I think it is a threat to those that have failed."

Governor Pritzker is expected to meet with community violence intervention leaders later Wednesday as they hold emergency training to prepare for these federal deployments.