Gov asked to declare state of emergency after 51 killed, 242 shot in Chicago in Jan.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There were 51 homicides in Chicago last month. Now, there's a call for Governor Bruce Rauner to declare a state of emergency in the city and in Cook County.

In addition to those homicides, Chicago police say 242 people were shot in January.

On Thursday, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin delivered a letter to the governor's office asking him to declare a state of emergency.

Boykin says that will provide access to federal money and resources.

"People are living under terror. That is unfair, that is not the American way. This is not what we would expect from our government. How can we defeat ISIS abroad if we can't even defeat the gang members in our neighborhoods?" Boykin said.

In a statement, Rauner's office said he's troubled by gun violence, adding that "unfortunately, there is no federal assistance available" if the governor proclaimed a state of emergency.