* We hit the high points of the coordinated federal raids/activities yesterday. Let’s look at a few more tidbits today. WBEZ…

In a statement to WBEZ, a representative for the Internal Revenue Service declined to talk specifics about the raids, but said the “IRS Criminal Investigation [unit] was out on search warrants today in some villages near Chicago.”

A criminal defense lawyer representing Sandoval said the FBI’s activities in the three suburbs Thursday did “not directly” pertain to his client and called the law-enforcement action an “excessive use of federal money.”

He did not elaborate on any possible direct or indirect connections to Sandoval.

“You’d probably have to ask those folks,” attorney Craig Tobin said, referring to the FBI. “The issue is whatever I would know, I can’t disclose to you.”

* Sun-Times…

An FBI spokesman described the visit to McCook, Lyons and the insurance agency as “authorized law enforcement activity,” but he drew a distinction in Summit, calling the visit there “investigative activity.” FBI agents took no records in Summit but interviewed village employees about contracts and licensing, a source said. […]

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said the governor is concerned about the reports of federal activity.

“No elected official in Illinois should use their office to personally profit, and these reports are deeply concerning to the governor,” said spokeswoman Emily Bittner. “The governor expects elected officials to uphold the highest ethical standards, and for anyone who fails, they should be held accountable to the fullest extent possible.”

* Tribune…

Gary Perlman, village attorney for McCook, said Thursday that FBI agents executed a search warrant “very early in the morning before the building was even open,” and removed files and other materials.

The warrants were seeking information about several individuals and entities, including contractors that do business with the village, Perlman said. He declined to specify what was being targeted, saying village officials were “still reviewing (the warrants) ourselves.” […]

Meanwhile, a clerk at the Summit village hall said the mayor was not available and she was not aware of any FBI activity there Thursday.

“Just a quiet, ordinary day,” she said.

* ABC 7…

Some residents said the federal action is long overdue.

“We were just hoping for the feds to come in at some point, and now they have,” said Lyons resident Earl Johnson.

After hearing the news of the FBI raids here at McCook Village Hall and in the Village of Lyons, he says the FBI is sending a message.

“To not be a dirty politician. To be a clean politician, serve your constituents and you work for the people, not for yourself,” he said.

* Crain’s…

“Cook County is a Democratic county and there are thousands of elected officials, a handful have been raided,” said Preckwinkle, who’s also chair of the Cook County Democratic Party. “It’s painful to hear this. However, the assumption in our criminal justice system is innocent until proven guilty. This is a raid, it may or may not go any further than that.”