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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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