US EditionGroup Argues for Special Prosecutor to Investigate Possible Crimes During Chicago's Operation Midway Blitz
More than 400 petitioners say video and sworn statements show federal agents committed crimes and that the state’s attorney has a conflict of interest.
- On Friday, a coalition of more than 400 petitioners urged Cook County Circuit Judge Erica Reddick to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes by federal immigration agents during 'Operation Midway Blitz.'
- The Trump administration launched 'Operation Midway Blitz' in September 2025, deploying thousands of federal agents across Chicago neighborhoods. Petitioners argue State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's refusal to criticize federal threats reveals a disqualifying conflict of interest.
- Attorneys cited documented incidents including the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park and the wounding of Marimar Martínez in Brighton Park, alongside body-worn camera footage showing agents using heavy force.
- Representatives for O'Neill Burke opposed the petition, arguing her office cannot initiate investigations without police referral and that acting as primary investigator would be 'unlawful.' Judge Reddick scheduled a May 11 hearing to issue a ruling.
- Advocates invoke the 2014 Laquan McDonald case, where a special prosecutor secured a murder conviction against Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke after the State's Attorney recused herself, potentially setting precedent for state oversight of federal agents.
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14 Articles
Shaw Local
Dispatch Argus‘It’s not for her’: DHS dedicated Midway Blitz in her name. Her mother says she would have hated it
From Capitol News Illinois: The mother of a young woman to whom the Trump administration dedicated Operation Midway Blitz testified to the Illinois Accountability Commission on Monday, saying her daughter would not have wanted this legacy
Illinois Accountability Commission's Fourth Hearing Reveals Never-Before-Seen Footage and New Eyewitness Testimony
CHICAGO – The Illinois Accountability Commission, housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), today held its fourth public hearing to reveal never-before-seen footage and brand-new eyewitness testimony from specific incidents targeting Illinoisians. Following Governor Pritzker’s directive for the Commission to examine the roles and responsibilities of key Trump Administration officials during the hearings, all current or former arc…
Mother says daughter 'would have hated' being linked to Operation Midway Blitz
The college student who became the face of the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz would have “hated” that her name was associated with the immigration enforcement operation, her mother said Monday. “I can say with confidence Katie would have hated it, and she would have had hated having her name continuing to be used by politicians publicly and on social media,” said Katie Abraham’s mother, Denise Lorence. Abraham and her friend died …
Group argues for special prosecutor to investigate possible crimes during Chicago's Operation Midway Blitz
A judge will decide in May if a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate possible crimes during Operation Midway Blitz, the immigration crackdown in Chicago last year.
Ruling On Whether To Appoint Special Prosecutor To Probe ICE Abuses Expected In May
LITTLE VILLAGE — In the next few weeks, a Cook County judge could determine whether a special prosecutor will be called in to investigate alleged crimes committed by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz. In March, Chicago law firm Loevy and Loevy submitted a petition asking Cook County Judge Erica Reddick to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate a list of alleged crimes carried out by federal agents in and around Chicago last fall.…
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