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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE ILLINOIS ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION AND WITNESSES WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR FINAL REPORT
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2025, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2025-06 to create the Illinois Accountability Commission, with the goal of creating a public record of the conduct of federal agents during “Operation Midway Blitz” and the Trump Administration’s military-style operations throughout the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Accountability Commission consists of appointed members including Executive Director Hina Mahmood, Chair Honorable Rubén Castillo, Vice Chair Honorable Patricia Brown Holmes, Aurora Austriaco, Professor Susan Gzesh, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, Commander Cindy Sam, Jimmy L. Arce, and Ric Estrada; and
WHEREAS, the Commission was charged to examine the impact of the conduct of federal immigration agents on individuals and communities across Illinois and to produce a final report with policy recommendations to prevent future harm in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, to compile their Final Report, the Commission held five public hearings and seven community listening sessions; conducted investigations, witness interviews, and evidence gathering; solicited testimony and research from subject matter experts; and reviewed news reports and lawsuits; and
WHEREAS, the Commission found evidence that the Federal administration leadership adopted policies and used tactics to cause chaos across Illinois, and despite repeated violations of court orders and an “unprecedented number of admonishments from federal judges,” federal agents continued to deploy chemical-grade weapons on residents, including on children and Chicago Police officers; and
WHEREAS, the Commission identified numerous instances in which federal agents used unjustified and excessive force during Operation Midway Blitz, which resulted in serious injuries to hundreds of civilians. The Commission reports reasonable cause to believe that federal agents may have violated DHS policies, state or federal criminal law, and/or individuals’ constitutional rights in many of these incidents; and
WHEREAS, throughout Operation Midway Blitz, the U.S. Department of Justice leveled criminal charges against U.S. citizens, alleging that they had assaulted or impeded a federal officer in the performance of their duties; however, in the vast majority of cases, the charges were dropped or dismissed, often due to evidence contradicting the claims of the federal agents; and
WHEREAS, the Commission’s analysis estimates that of the over 3,900 individuals that were arrested and detained at Chicago area facilities during Operation Midway Blitz, 85% had no criminal conviction; and
WHEREAS, Operation Midway Blitz had a lasting and damaging impact on the physical health, mental health, and well-being of Illinois residents, including interrupting necessary medical treatment, causing school attendance drops in areas with large immigrant or Latino populations, and small business owners reporting a sustained drop in sales; and
WHEREAS, the Commission’s final report is an evidentiary foundation that, while incomplete, reflects one of the most comprehensive state-level investigations of federal law enforcement misconduct undertaken in recent American history; and
WHEREAS, the Commission’s final report played a role in the Illinois State Police opening an investigation into the killing of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was shot to death by federal officers in Franklin Park; and
WHEREAS, the final report was informed by courageous witnesses, rapid responders, members of the public, and local journalists who voluntarily chose to participate in this report and contribute documentation of federal misconduct, despite valid fears of retaliation from the federal government; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize and thank the Illinois Accountability Commission, contributing witnesses, and all people impacted by Operation Midway Blitz for their work documenting evidence and for their contributions toward justice and accountability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the leadership of the Illinois Accountability Commission and to Governor J.B. Pritzker as a token of appreciation for their work.
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