Lightfoot Statement on CCSAO's New Task Force, Continued Delay on ICE Accountability
Former Chicago Mayor and founder of the ICE Accountability Project Lori E. Lightfoot released the following statement regarding Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s newly announced regional transit crime task force:
“When community safety is threatened, public officials should respond with urgency, coordination, and accountability," said Lightfoot.
“It is important and necessary for local leaders treating violence on public transit with the seriousness it deserves. Passengers need to be safe, full stop.
“But this latest effort which State’s Attorney Burke is leading raises an obvious question: why hasn’t that same urgency been brought to a documented pattern of violent encounters, excessive force, shootings, and even deaths tied to federal immigration enforcement?
“Make no mistake: these are some of the most serious forms of government overreach imaginable.
“Hennepin County already showed local leaders do not have to sit on the sidelines. State’s Attorney Burke should bring that same energy and leadership to allegations involving federal immigration agents. It’s well past time.”
“When community safety is threatened, public officials should respond with urgency, coordination, and accountability," said Lightfoot.
“It is important and necessary for local leaders treating violence on public transit with the seriousness it deserves. Passengers need to be safe, full stop.
“But this latest effort which State’s Attorney Burke is leading raises an obvious question: why hasn’t that same urgency been brought to a documented pattern of violent encounters, excessive force, shootings, and even deaths tied to federal immigration enforcement?
“Make no mistake: these are some of the most serious forms of government overreach imaginable.
“Hennepin County already showed local leaders do not have to sit on the sidelines. State’s Attorney Burke should bring that same energy and leadership to allegations involving federal immigration agents. It’s well past time.”