Pritzker Signs New Order Creating Illinois Accountability Commission

(Illinois) Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday, October 23, 2025, signed an executive order creating the Illinois Accountability Commission, a new body charged with documenting and assessing the conduct of federal immigration agents and other federal law enforcement operating in the state. The order takes effect immediately and follows weeks of reported military-style raids tied to President Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago and nearby communities.

Pritzker said the move is about keeping a clear public record and ensuring Illinois residents’ rights are respected during enforcement actions. “We have a duty to ensure the truth is preserved so the public can know what their elected, appointed officials have done and so the courts and the Congress can eventually hold people accountable,” he said.

Purpose and mandate of the commission

The nine-member commission, appointed by the Governor and supported by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, will:

• Compile reports of alleged abuses by federal agents.
• Produce a public record of federal operations in Illinois.
• Recommend steps the state can take to seek accountability.

The administration frames the effort as both a transparency measure and a mechanism to inform courts and Congress. While the commission cannot control federal operations, it can document incidents, identify policy or training gaps, and flag areas where Illinois agencies should adjust protocols when interacting with federal teams.

Focus areas and documented patterns

State officials said the commission will concentrate on patterns observed during recent arrests and searches, including:

• Homes entered in early morning hours.
• Children detained alongside parents.
• Guns drawn inside crowded residential buildings.

Reports out of Chicago described homes “ransacked” and families separated as federal officers expanded activity and coordination with other federal units. Local leaders say these tactics have spread fear, not safety, within immigrant neighborhoods that already report low trust in government.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Illinois’ step reflects a broader state-level response to heightened federal operations and the tension between sanctuary policies and federal enforcement priorities.

What the executive order changes now

The order establishes a public-facing channel for people and organizations to submit credible information about raids, arrests, and searches. The commission will:

• Document incidents and issue recommendations.
• Build a detailed record that can be used by courts, Congress, watchdogs, and litigants.
• Identify where state agencies should improve responses or training.

Key features include:
– Nine-member commission appointed by the Governor and backed by the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
– Public record mandate to gather and publish information about the conduct of federal immigration agents and other federal law enforcement during raids.
– Policy and legal recommendations to improve protections and pursue accountability for rights violations.
– Immediate effect upon filing with the Secretary of State, with findings to be made public.

Administration officials say the commission is designed to reduce confusion at the street level. Many families aren’t sure which authorities they’re dealing with during raids or which rights apply; as a result, local hotlines and legal clinics are overwhelmed. By centralizing documentation, the state hopes patterns become clear: where warrants are used or not used, how minors are treated during operations, and whether people are denied access to counsel.

Political and community backdrop

The executive order comes as Illinois and Chicago officials resist expanded federal enforcement under President Trump. Local leaders, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have taken steps to limit city cooperation with immigration raids and to mark certain local spaces as ICE-free zones. The Governor’s office pointed to the deployment of National Guard troops and a larger federal presence as the immediate context for the commission’s creation.

Advocacy groups working with mixed-status families report a rise in door knocks without warrants, neighborhood sweeps, and pressure tactics during questioning. Lawyers describe parents asking children to record badge numbers and to contact trusted adults if a parent is taken. Community clinics report some residents have stopped seeking services out of fear of being identified, even when those services aren’t tied to immigration status.

While federal officials argue that targeted raids remove people with criminal records, the collateral impact can be wide:

• Schools report anxious students and sudden absences.
• Landlords struggle to calm tenants after heavily armed teams enter buildings.
• Local police chiefs face community tension when residents don’t distinguish between city officers and federal agents.

Pritzker’s aides stress the commission is not about blocking lawful federal activity but about recording how it is carried out to protect civil rights—especially where searches or seizures may exceed federal authority or conflict with state standards. A reliable record can help courts decide future cases and help Congress review executive branch actions.

Important: The commission does not change federal authority. Its role is to document actions and recommend state-level responses and protections.

What residents and advocates should document

For practical next steps, the commission is expected to seek detailed information when it is safe to provide it. Suggested items to gather include:

• Names (or badge numbers if available) and agencies involved
• Dates, times, and locations of raids or arrests
• Whether officers showed a warrant and the scope of that warrant
• How children, elderly residents, or people with disabilities were treated
• Any property damage or medical needs that arose
• Access to legal counsel and language support

The Illinois Department of Human Rights will provide support functions, including intake, data tracking, and civil rights expertise. For information about that department’s mission and services, visit the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Officials said the commission’s reports will be made public so communities, courts, and lawmakers can see what happened and consider next steps.

Implications for employers, service providers, and communities

The order signals increased scrutiny for organizations interacting with federal agents. Potential impacts include:

• Employers may face new questions when federal agents request records or access to worksites.
• Hospitals and clinics may review policies to ensure care continues without exposing patients to added risk.
• State-funded facilities may need updated training and protocols for responding to arrival of federal teams.

The commission’s recommendations could cover training, data sharing, and how state-funded facilities respond during federal operations.

Stakes and next steps

State officials emphasized that Illinois residents—citizens and noncitizens alike—have constitutional rights. By building a public record, Illinois aims to reduce rumor and fear and to give courts and Congress a factual base for oversight.

The first reports are expected after the commission is fully appointed and begins receiving submissions under its immediate effective date.

For communities, examples of common questions the commission’s work may help answer:
– Must a resident open the door to officers who do not present a warrant with a name and address?
– Do landlords have to grant access to common areas without proper documents?
– How should school staff advise students whose parents were detained before morning classes?

The commission will not give individual legal advice, but its public findings can help communities and lawyers spot trends and prepare legal responses.

If you are planning to submit information, prioritize safety and consult legal counsel or community organizations before interacting with federal agents or documenting incidents in real time.