Illinois Governor Faces Backlash Over Student's Murder

Former Biden advisor criticizes Pritzker and Chicago mayor's response to killing of college freshman

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:39pm

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The tragic killing of 19-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman has sparked a sharp confrontation between former White House advisor Yemisi Egbewole and Illinois' top Democratic leadership, including Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Egbewole criticized the officials for shifting the conversation toward a political battle with Donald Trump instead of focusing on the grieving family.

Why it matters

The case has reignited debates over the intersection of local crime and federal immigration policy, with Pritzker and Johnson facing criticism for their past opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations within Chicago.

The details

Gorman was allegedly shot and killed near the Loyola University campus by Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national who had been released twice by federal authorities in 2023. Egbewole argued that Pritzker and Johnson should have kept the focus on supporting the Gorman family rather than engaging in a political fight.

  • Gorman was killed on Thursday, March 23, 2026.
  • Egbewole appeared on 'Fox News Live' on Sunday, March 26, 2026 to criticize the officials.

The players

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who faced criticism for his response to Gorman's killing.

Brandon Johnson

The Democratic mayor of Chicago who also faced criticism for his response to Gorman's killing.

Yemisi Egbewole

A former White House press office advisor who served under the Biden administration and criticized Pritzker and Johnson's handling of the fallout following Gorman's death.

Sheridan Gorman

A 19-year-old college freshman who was allegedly shot and killed near the Loyola University campus.

Jose Medina-Medina

A Venezuelan national who was allegedly responsible for Gorman's killing and had been released twice by federal authorities in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“I think you can address the grievances of the family without trying to appease the wider base that is worried about all immigrants being painted in a certain light. I think this should have just stayed directly on the grieving family and the tragic murder that happened.”

— Yemisi Egbewole, Former White House press office advisor

“I'm going to continue to use every single tool that's available to me to protect the residents of the city of Chicago. This tragedy is not going to deter us from our work. In fact, it's going to challenge us all to double down on our efforts to ensure that we are protecting every single individual across neighborhoods.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago

What’s next

The legal case against Jose Medina-Medina is ongoing as the debate over the intersection of local crime and federal immigration policy continues in Chicago.

The takeaway

This case highlights the political tensions surrounding immigration and public safety, with officials facing criticism for their handling of a tragic killing that has reignited debates over these complex issues.