Overview
- Cook County Judge Erica Reddick, who heard nearly two hours of arguments Friday, said she hopes to issue a decision at a May 11 hearing.
- A petition from Loevy & Loevy backed by more than 400 supporters seeks a special prosecutor, alleging State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke refused to investigate and citing an August email about preserving ties with federal partners.
- Chief assistant state’s attorney Yvette Loizon said the office will not act as the primary investigator and will support police-led probes, citing a 2017 Illinois Supreme Court ruling and a February protocol that tells local police how to document force by federal agents.
- If a special prosecutor is appointed, Illinois law first requires the judge to ask public offices such as the attorney general or another county to take the case at no cost before turning to a private attorney.
- Operation Midway Blitz began in September 2025 with thousands of ICE and CBP agents in Chicago, drew reports of heavy force and two shootings, and led to a federal injunction banning tear gas and a December Illinois law adding protections at courthouses, hospitals, universities and daycares.