Gov. Pritzker Marks One Year Since Administration Launched Operation Midway Blitz

CHICAGO – Today marks one year since the Trump Administration launched Operation Midway Blitz, the excessive federal immigration enforcement operation that brought fear, chaos, and disruption to communities and cost over a billion dollars in lost revenue across Chicago and Illinois.

“Operation Midway Blitz was Trump’s attempt to break Illinois’ resolve and make us feel powerless before his might. He failed.” said Governor JB Pritzker. “If anything from the past year has given me optimism for the fight ahead, it is the way my fellow Illinoisans showed up for each other during this attack. Illinoisans’ powerful rejection of human rights abuses confirmed for me how prepared we are for what lies ahead. We stood up for our neighbors and showed the world the strength and greatness of our people.”

Throughout the operation, Governor Pritzker led the people of Illinois in standing up for each other while masked federal agents terrorized our communities. Leading up to the one-year anniversary, Governor Pritzker connected with impacted small business owners, hearing firsthand how their lives, livelihoods, and communities were disrupted. From families navigating fear and uncertainty to local businesses struggling with the economic fallout, the Governor has remained in contact with those experiencing the effects of Operation Midway Blitz. Videos of conversations with the Jennifer Aguilar the Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and Chef and Co-Owner Jose “Louie” Lopez of Los Candiles Restaurant can be viewed here.

“One year later and ICE is continuing their campaign of terror across the United States. Families and communities have borne the brunt of Trump's untrained militia, acting without checks or balances," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "Illinois swiftly took peaceful and thoughtful actions and we are stronger than ever before. Illinois is a family and families stand up to bullies— together— in the face of hatred.”

On September 8, 2025, the Trump Administration launched Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois. In the weeks that followed, federal agents carried out military-style raids across the Chicagoland area, deployed tear gas and other chemical agents, conducted warrantless arrests, and detained U.S. citizens. The operation sowed fear in homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods across the region. According to the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute analysis, Operation Midway Blitz resulted in the loss of $1.26B in commercial activity and $107M in sales tax revenue in Cook County.

Governor Pritzker established the Illinois Accountability Commission, the first of its kind in the nation, to create a public record of federal agents’ conduct, examine the impact on Illinois communities, and recommend measures to prevent future abuses. Following months of public hearings, testimony, and investigation, the Commission released its final report in April 2026, documenting unconstitutional uses of force, discriminatory stops, unlawful warrantless arrests, and efforts by federal officials to conceal and distort the truth about Operation Midway Blitz.

The Pritzker Administration continues to stand with communities impacted by Operation Midway Blitz, defend the constitutional rights of Illinoisans, and pursue accountability for federal misconduct.