A state commission in Illinois, established to investigate alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents, has held its inaugural public hearing, centring its scrutiny on the extensive deployment of chemical agents during operations in the Chicago area.
First Hearing Focuses on 'Wide Use' of Chemical Agents
The commission, formed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, convened on Thursday 18 December 2025. Its primary objective is to document accusations of harassment and abuse stemming from a federal immigration crackdown that began in September. The operation's aggressive tactics have drawn condemnation from judges, elected officials, and a growing number of residents across the nation's third-largest city and its suburbs.
Led by former federal judge Rubén Castillo, the panel heard testimony and reviewed evidence, including video footage, of well-documented incidents. One such incident involved an agent pepper spraying a toddler and her father. "It's going to be impossible to forget," stated Judge Castillo regarding the immigration operation. "The one thing we cannot do is accept this. This cannot be the new normal."
Community Impact and Legal Backlash
The federal operation has led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people in the Chicago region and was marked by a fatal shooting by federal agents. The crackdown has prompted multiple lawsuits and spurred Illinois to pass a new law shielding immigrants from arrests near courthouses, hospitals, and schools.
The hearing was held near the Little Village neighbourhood, an area profoundly affected by the raids. Community leaders testified to the operation's devastating impact, with businesses reporting slowdowns and schools noting attendance drops as fear gripped residents. Matt DeMateo, a pastor leading New Life Centers, challenged the official narrative, testifying, "The narrative of removing dangerous criminals is simply not true." Public records from the operation's initial weeks appear to support this, showing the majority of those arrested did not have violent criminal records.
Limitations of the Commission and National Context
Commission members acknowledged the panel's constraints; it cannot compel testimony, bring charges, or force legislation. Its mandate is to create an accurate historical record of the community impact and issue a report with recommendations next year. The members, including attorneys, community leaders, and retired judges, aim to counter what they see as contradictory accounts from the Trump administration.
The hearing coincided with the surprise return to Chicago of Senior Border Patrol Official Greg Bovino, who previously led the local operation. His presence sparked immediate backlash, including a confrontation with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. Mayor Biss, who is running for Congress, stated defiantly on social media, "We will not be intimidated... Get the hell out of our city."
While the Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions as necessary for officer safety, it did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the day of the hearing. This state-level pushback mirrors resistance in other areas like California, which recently launched a portal for complaints against federal agents.
