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Pritzker: DHS wants 100 “military troops” sent to Illinois

Monday, Sep 29, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. JB Pritzker at a press conference today…

Moments ago, the Illinois National Guard received word that the Department of Homeland Security has sent a memo to the Department of War seeking the deployment of 100 military troops to Illinois claiming a need for the protection of ICE personnel and facilities. What I have been warning of is now being realized.

The full speech is here.

The guard has confirmed a request, but says no orders have yet been issued.

…Adding… I asked the governor’s spokesperson if the “military troops” were Illinois National Guard, another state’s guard or the US Military…

We don’t know. DHS requested 100 military personnel from DOW. DOW and/or POTUS need to respond to that request.

Stay tuned.

* ICE, Pritzker said, “is running around the loop, harassing people for not being white.”

After reciting a litany of “authoritarian” events during the past days, Pritzker said…

This is not about fighting crime or about public safety. This is about sowing fear and intimidation and division among Americans. It is about creating a pretext to send armed military troops into our communities. This is about consolidating power in Donald Trump’s hands. What he plans to do with that power, now or during the 2026 elections, should worry all of us.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

* Attorney General Kwame Raoul…

The mobilization of the military isn’t just an ineffective strategy to address crime, it is illegal. […]

The Posse Comitatus Act, as stated before, limits the federal government’s ability to use the military for domestic law enforcement. A judge in California recognized that fact earlier this month, and the militia clauses of the United States Constitution give Congress sole authority to decide what factual circumstances allow the presidents to federalize the National Guard. They don’t exist here. The President has failed to establish that any other legal prerequisites exist for his efforts to nationalize to federalize the guard, which is why litigation challenging these efforts is now pending in multiple courts, and if the evidence follows, the pattern follows what we’ve seen in Oregon, he should expect a legal challenge here as well. […]

What the President is hoping to do is foment chaos by inciting out of control protests. So I urge Illinoisans don’t take the bait. There is no emergency in Chicago. Don’t help them create one. Exercise your first amendment rights, but do so peacefully, without violence or destruction of property. If you see what you believe to be civil rights being violated. Use your phone or camera to document it.

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What the state AG could do about recalcitrant sheriffs if he was so inclined (Updated)

Monday, Sep 29, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background on Adams County Sheriff Anthony Grootens is here, here, here and here if you need it. Capitol News Illinois and the Medill Illinois News Bureau…

As the U.S. government escalates immigration raids in Illinois and nationwide, some Illinois sheriffs are expressing support and a desire for greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement despite state laws that limit their involvement.

A survey of Illinois sheriffs by the Medill Illinois News Bureau for Capitol News Illinois revealed that over two-thirds of those who responded are frustrated by the state law and would favor repeal or changes. A few described actions that appear to conflict with state restrictions.

“What are they going to do to you?” Adams County Sheriff Anthony Grootens asked regarding the consequences of violating state law. “Are they gonna have me lock myself up in my own jail?”

The sheriff’s question isn’t really answered in the story.

* From Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s most recent local law enforcement guidance…

…Illinois law enforcement agencies are subject to the Illinois TRUST Act, which helps bolster community trust and cooperation by affirming that law enforcement agencies in Illinois are largely prohibited from participating in immigration enforcement. And, under the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (“VOICES”) Act, Illinois law enforcement officers must follow specific procedures to support immigrants victimized by violent crime or human trafficking who help law enforcement investigate or prosecute criminal activity. In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly expanded the protections and obligations in both these laws through a new law, the Way Forward Act. The Way Forward Act also authorizes the Attorney General of Illinois to conduct investigations and bring civil enforcement actions to ensure compliance with the TRUST Act and the VOICES Act.

* From state statute…

(5 ILCS 825/30)
Sec. 30. Attorney General enforcement provisions. In order to ensure compliance with this Act:
(a) The Attorney General shall have authority to conduct investigations into violations of this Act. The Attorney General may:

(1) require a law enforcement agency, law enforcement official, or any other person or entity to file a statement or report in writing under oath or otherwise, as to all information the Attorney General may consider necessary;

(2) examine under oath any law enforcement official or any other person alleged to have participated in or with knowledge of the alleged violation; or

(3) issue subpoenas, obtain records, conduct hearings, or take any other actions in aid of any investigation. In the event a law enforcement agency, law enforcement official, or other person or entity fails to comply, in whole or in part, with a subpoena or other investigative request issued pursuant to this paragraph, the Attorney General may compel compliance through an action in the circuit court.

(b) Upon his or her own information or upon the complaint of any person, the Attorney General may maintain an action for declaratory, injunctive or any other equitable relief in the circuit court against any law enforcement agency, law enforcement official, or other person or entity who violates any provision of this Act. These remedies are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other available remedies.
(Source: P.A. 102-234, eff. 8-2-21.)

And we’re still waiting on action.

…Adding… Isabel asked AG Raoul why he has yet to take action. His response…

I don’t do my investigations in the press.

He later said, “We are in touch with Sheriff Grootens and we’re going to be having a conversation, and that’s all I’m going to give you.”

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(Comments now open) Mayor: ‘ICE is seeking to intimidate the Village of Broadview… We will not be intimidated’ (Updated x6)

Saturday, Sep 27, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Fox 32…

In a statement, the village said ICE informed the Broadview Police Department that there will be “a s*** show” in the village on Saturday.

The comment from ICE came as retaliation for the village on Friday calling on ICE to “stop making war on our community,” according to the village’s statement.

“ICE agents told the BFD that they will be launching enforcement action throughout all of Broadview throughout the day. Additionally, ICE informed BPD officials that ICE agents will be again deploying chemical arms, such as tear gas, pepper spray, etc. against American citizens, our residents, and our first responders,” according to the village of Broadview.

The village statement added, “ICE is seeking to intimidate the Village of Broadview because we dared exercise our 1st Amendment constitutional rights calling for an end to their war on Broadview. We will not be intimidated. We are Broadview strong.” […]

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is urging Broadview residents to “take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families in order to stay out of harm’s way.”

Follow live social media updates here and here.

*** UPDATE *** Illinois State Police…

ISP statement.

When local police departments need additional support or resources from the state to protect public safety in their communities, they can request assistance through the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS). ISP is providing general support, including traffic assistance, in response to the Broadview Police Department’s request around maintaining public safety during planned protests. ISP remains in communication with Broadview Police Department to monitor the situation and to understand the public safety needs.

ISP continues operating within the requirements of the TRUST Act.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Gov. JB Pritzker…

The State of Illinois is closely monitoring the federal deployments in the Village of Broadview. Public safety is always my top priority, and the Illinois State Police remain in close communication with the Broadview Police Department to monitor and maintain public safety.

“Whether it be in Broadview here in Illinois or in Portland, Oregon, the Trump Administration is intentionally creating chaos to threaten sending military troops to American cities and suburbs. The suggestion that chemical agents like tear gas or pepper spray could be used indiscriminately against peaceful demonstrators, or even first responders, is unacceptable and not normal.

“Illinois will always defend Americans’ right to peacefully protest and make their voices heard. We denounce any violence against the general public, members of the media, and law enforcement or first responders. Even when the Trump Administration does not follow the law, we will.

“I urge members of the public to remain calm, stay safe, and document what you see with your phones and cameras. My senior team has also asked legal organizations to support monitoring on the ground. By observing and recording peacefully, we can ensure that any violations of the law are brought to light and those responsible are held accountable.

*** UPDATE 3 *** DHS denies the Broadview mayor’s claim…

The Village of Broadview issued a news release Saturday reading in part: “In retaliation for the Village of Broadview yesterday calling on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to “stop making war on our community”, ICE agents this morning informed the Broadview Police Department that there will be ‘a s**t show’ in Broadview today.”

The village said the profanity was used in a verbal comment between Broadview police and ICE. When asked about the expletive, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was made up.

“This is made up,” Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Our law enforcement enforces the rule of law. Period.”

* WGN…

The ICE processing center in west suburban Broadview has been the scene of more protests and arrests this weekend, and the U.S. Border Patrol has now taken over security of the facility from ICE. […]

Bovino’s staff confirmed to WGN-TV‘s sister station, NewsNation, that Border Patrol has taken over security of the building from ICE.

* Sun-Times…

Agents fired pepper balls into a crowd of about 75 protesters Saturday evening and made several arrests.

Steve Held, a Chicago journalist, was one of those arrested. A Chicago Sun-Times reporter was struck by rubber projectiles and tear-gassed. Held is a co-founder of Unraveled Press, which has been working with the digital oulet The TRiiBE and other independent media to cover protests at Broadview.

“It was shocking to see, but it was not shocking because they’ve been targeting us for days,” said Raven Geary, a colleague of Held who was across the street when he was detained. “They know that they’re being watched, they know that they’re secret police, they know that they’re targeting reporters on purpose.”

Held said late Sunday morning that he’d been released.

More about last night’s federal action from a Chicago-based civil rights law firm…

Click here for video.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Criminal investigation launched…

The following statement can be attributed to Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills:

“The Village of Broadview Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into an allegedly unprovoked attack on a CBS Chicago TV news reporter’s vehicle by a chemical munition fired from the direction of U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement detention facility. The victim declined medical attention.The Broadview Police Department expects the full cooperation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security into our criminal investigation.”

*** UPDATE 5 *** CBS2…

Reporter Asal Rezaei said there was no active protest or protesters at the facility, and she was alone with no one around her at the time of the incident.

In a report filed with Broadview police, Rezaei said she was driving her truck with her driver’s side window down, while approaching the 25th Avenue entrance to see if any activity was taking place, before leaving the area.

That’s when she said a masked ICE agent, who saw her window down, shot a pepper ball about 50 feet from the inside of the fence, hitting her truck’s driver’s side panel, causing the chemical agents to engulf the inside of her truck.

Rezaei said the pepper ball left white powder on her windshield, and her face had “been on fire for at least the last 10 minutes or so.” The chemical also caused her to vomit once outside of her truck, she said.

*** UPDATE 6 *** Illinois State Police spokesperson…

ISP has reached out to the Broadview Police Department to offer assistance in the investigation of recent events and continued support if needed.

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