Coalition Calls for Special Prosecutor to Investigate Chicago ICE Abuses

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A coalition of politicians, advocacy organizations, and religious leaders has filed a petition in the Circuit Court of Cook County asking a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes committed by federal immigration agents during immigration raids in the Chicago area last year. The group claims that State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke (D) has failed to adequately pursue charges related to violent acts committed by the agents during 'Operation Midway Blitz'.

Why it matters

The petition highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, with the coalition arguing that the state's attorney has abandoned her duties to the people of Cook County by not holding federal agents accountable for alleged abuses. The case could set a precedent for how local jurisdictions respond to controversial federal immigration actions.

The details

In the petition, the coalition alleges that federal immigration agents committed 'clear, premeditated crimes' during the immigration raids last year, but that the state's attorney has failed to take action. The group is now asking a judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the agents' conduct and potentially bring charges.

• The immigration raids took place in the Chicago area last year as part of 'Operation Midway Blitz'.
• The coalition filed the petition in the Circuit Court of Cook County on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant the coalition's request and appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the alleged crimes committed by federal immigration agents during the raids.