PHOTO RELEASE: Gov. Pritzker Visits Communities Impacted by Operation Midway Blitz

CHICAGO – As Illinois communities and businesses continue to recover from Operation Midway Blitz – Trump’s lawless, lethal immigration enforcement effort – Governor JB Pritzker today marked one year since its launch by visiting impacted communities. This is part of the Governor’s continued outreach to Illinoisans whose lives were disrupted by Trump’s campaign of chaos and fear.

After meeting with the owners of a childcare center and a family-owned market in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, the Governor hosted a press conference in Little Village, joining legislators, Illinois Accountability Commissioners, immigrant legal and social service providers, community leaders, advocates, and others whose efforts supported Illinoisans.

“One year ago, federal agents in military-style equipment and unmarked vehicles waged a campaign of terror and abuse that brought fear and disruption into people's homes, workplaces, schools, and streets,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “There is still accountability to pursue, but there is reason for hope. We saw it in the streets of Chicago and in communities across our state, where people chose humanity over fear, solidarity over division, and courage over silence.”

“One year ago, in a heinous abuse of power, Donald Trump tried to break the resolve of Illinoisans. Instead of buckling under the pressure, they stood up and rejected his blatant human rights violations,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Today we continue to stand together in the face of hatred. We will not forget the atrocities committed by the Trump administration and we will continue to seek justice.”

“One year after Operation Midway Blitz began, the harm it caused is not an abstraction. It has names, families, and communities that are still living with its effects,” said Hon. Rubén Castillo, Chair of the Illinois Accountability Commission. “The Commission heard directly from Illinoisans who experienced these events, and their testimony became an essential part of the public record. The work of accountability is to confront that record honestly and ensure that those entrusted with government power are held accountable when that power is misused.”

“The horrors that Latino communities faced during this unconstitutional, unlawful, and inhuman operation will stick with every one of us, forever reminded of the injustice this administration drove onto our relatives, friends, and neighbors,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “For over 68 days, our communities listened to lies about immigration enforcement agents detaining ‘the worst of the worst,’ yet we watched as masked men and women terrorized courthouse parking lots, grocery stores, schoolyards, and working-class neighborhoods. Our communities know the truth, and we demand accountability for the abuse of power inflicted upon us, the lives that have been lost, the families now forever changed, and the people now forever traumatized.”

“Operation Midway Blitz left an indelible mark on our families who are still afraid to go to work, to shop at our local small businesses, or drop their kids off at daycare for fear of never being heard from again,” said Leader Edgar González (D-Chicago). “The president and his Congress authored the destruction and terror that has affected the whole state, my district in particular. One year ago, we committed to protecting our communities from these masked lawless immigration thugs. So, we passed legislation to create a private right of action for people whose constitutional rights were violated and worked with schools, hospitals, and daycares to provide them resources. The president will continue to wage war on Illinois, but our work at the state level is far from over.”

“One year later, our small businesses are still feeling the economic impact,” said Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director, Little Village Chamber of Commerce. “While conditions have improved, they have not fully recovered, and even a single day of immigration enforcement activity can cause foot traffic to disappear and businesses to lose critical sales. That is why I encourage everyone to shop & dine in Little Village and if you have an upcoming meeting, celebration, or event, consider catering from one of our local restaurants. Every dollar spent locally matters right now.”

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