Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he's thankful that the state has not suffered a mass shooting like those over the weekend — without mentioning two major shootings with multiple deaths in the past decade.
The Democrat was asked Monday in Chicago about the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, which left a total of 31 dead.
Pritzker said: "Thank God that it hasn't happened here."
He made no mention of the Feb. 15 shooting at an Aurora warehouse that killed five or the one at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on Feb. 14, 2008 that left five dead.
A spokeswoman could not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pritzker noted that Chicago is beset by deadly gun violence and suggested firearms restrictions come from the federal government.
"We cannot sit idly by as horrific acts of violence perpetuated by hate become a regular occurrence in our nation," Pritzker wrote on Facebook Sunday. "In under 24 hours, we’ve seen mass shootings claim dozens of lives in El Paso and Dayton. It’s heartbreaking and unacceptable.
"Gun violence has become a public health epidemic, and it’s our duty to interrupt it. To keep weapons of war off our streets," he continued. "To provide mental health resources to those who need it. To stop President Trump’s rhetoric fomenting white supremacy. Lives depend on it."
