Following Court Ruling, Lightfoot Calls for Coordinated Law Enforcement Response to Operation Midway Blitz Allegations

Former Chicago Mayor and founder of the ICE Accountability Project Lori E. Lightfoot released the following statement following today’s ruling denying the appointment of a special prosecutor in matters related to Operation Midway Blitz:

“Today’s ruling makes one thing clear: if prosecutors require completed investigations before charges can move forward, then law enforcement agencies must urgently step up and coordinate a broader investigative response,” said Lightfoot.

“Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke recently convened a regional transit crime task force bringing together local, county, state, and federal partners to address violence on public transit. The public deserves that same level of urgency and coordination when allegations involve shootings, excessive force, and violence by federal immigration agents.

“After 235 days, Illinois State Police finally opened an investigation into the killing of Silverio Villegas González. That is an important step. But it remains limited to one fatal shooting.

“What about Marimar Martinez, who was shot five times by a federal agent? What about the residents who allege they were beaten or assaulted during Operation Midway Blitz? Where is the broader coordinated response from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Sheriff Dart?

“In Minnesota, Hennepin County authorities moved from incident to criminal charges against federal agents within months. Here in Cook County, eight months later, the public is still waiting to see who is leading the broader accountability effort.”