Governor's Office Accused of Withholding Records Tied to Peacekeeper Charged with Murder

Watchdog group sues Pritzker administration over alleged FOIA violations related to photo with suspect

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A conservative watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing the administration of unlawfully withholding public records related to a photograph showing the governor posing with Kellen McMiller, a "peacekeeper" who was later charged with murder in connection with a deadly smash-and-grab robbery on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

Why it matters

The case raises questions about transparency and accountability in the governor's office, as well as the vetting process for individuals the administration associates with in community outreach efforts. The lawsuit also highlights tensions between the governor's rhetoric on crime prevention and the alleged actions of someone he was photographed with just days before a high-profile violent incident.

The details

Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit last month in Sangamon County Circuit Court, seeking a judge's order compelling the governor's office to release photographs, communications, and vetting records related to McMiller's appearance with Pritzker on September 5, 2025. Just six days later, McMiller was allegedly involved in a fatal smash-and-grab robbery on Michigan Avenue that left a 40-year-old man dead. After the incident, the governor's office reportedly removed or edited images and online materials documenting the event and then failed to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records about the encounter.

  • On September 5, 2025, Kellen McMiller posed for a photo with Governor JB Pritzker in Englewood.
  • On September 11, 2025, around 5 a.m., burglars backed a pickup truck through the display window at the Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue, stole nearly $700,000 worth of goods, and fled the scene in several vehicles.
  • On September 22, 2025, Judicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the governor's office seeking records related to the photo of Pritzker and McMiller.

The players

Governor JB Pritzker

The current governor of Illinois, who was photographed with Kellen McMiller, a man later charged with murder in connection with a deadly smash-and-grab robbery in Chicago.

Kellen McMiller

A man wanted in four states who was photographed with Governor Pritzker just days before allegedly being involved in a fatal smash-and-grab robbery on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

Judicial Watch

A conservative watchdog group that has filed a lawsuit against the governor's office, accusing the administration of unlawfully withholding public records related to the photograph of Pritzker and McMiller.

Mark Arceta

A 40-year-old Skokie resident who was killed when the vehicle allegedly carrying McMiller and four other burglars crashed into his Honda CR-V during the getaway from the smash-and-grab robbery.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention, not troops on the ground to undermine efforts fighting crime.”

— Governor JB Pritzker (Facebook)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to order the governor's office to release the requested records related to the photo of Pritzker and McMiller.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government, particularly when it comes to the vetting of individuals associated with public officials. The alleged withholding of records raises concerns about the administration's commitment to open government and its response to a high-profile incident involving someone it had previously embraced as a 'peacekeeper' in the community.