Cook County court weighs special prosecutor request tied to Operation Midway Blitz

Cook County court weighs special prosecutor request tied to Operation Midway Blitz

A Cook County judge is considering whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate alleged misconduct in "Operation Midway Blitz."

CHICAGO - A Cook County judge heard a motion Monday in a growing legal fight over whether a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate alleged misconduct by federal agents during "Operation Midway Blitz."

Attorneys representing a group of petitioners filed the motion this week, asking the court for permission to add new evidence to the record in support of their request for an independent prosecutor. 

Judge Erica L. Reddick said she will make a ruling in the case on May 21.

Report on Operation Midway Blitz

The backstory:

The filing centers on a newly released report from the Illinois Accountability Commission, a state panel created by Gov. JB Pritzker through executive order in 2025 to investigate allegations tied to the federal operation.

In its final report issued April 30, the commission accused federal agents of repeatedly using excessive and unjustified force against immigrants, U.S. citizens, protesters, journalists and bystanders during enforcement actions carried out between September and December 2025.

According to the report, investigators reviewed more than 100 hours of video footage, interviewed dozens of witnesses and analyzed court filings, text messages and official reports tied to the operation.

The commission alleged agents conducted random stops based on race or occupation, used violence during arrests and retaliated against people who objected to their tactics.

Operation Midway Blitz investigative report | The Chicago Report

Six months of work and two days of hearings, culminating in a final report from the Illinois accountability commission.  It details alleged transgressions on behalf of federal ICE agents, during Operation Midway Blitz.    Commission member Jimmy Arce is joining us now, to tell us about the process, and what the policy recommendations are.

Among the incidents highlighted was the shooting of Marimar Martinez, who testified publicly before the commission days before the report was released. Martinez said she was shot multiple times by a federal agent without justification.

"I’ve been judged, I’ve been criminalized, I’ve been shot, but I’m still here speaking, and I want change," Martinez told the commission during its final public hearing.

The report and supporting materials were sent to several law enforcement agencies, including the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago police and multiple suburban departments. In a referral letter, commission leaders urged authorities to pursue criminal investigations into the federal agents involved.

Commission Chair Rubén Castillo, a former federal judge, also publicly criticized Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke during a press conference announcing the report’s release.

"If she doesn’t want to investigate, step aside," Castillo said. "Step aside and let a special prosecutor come in and do what needs to be done."

The other side:

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office released a statement Monday afternoon, condemning the attempt to install a special prosecutor: 

"The State’s Attorney has repeatedly condemned the tactics used by the Trump administration and during Operation Midway Blitz, denouncing the abhorrent conduct we have all witnessed. As we have argued in court, the CCSAO must follow the law and the facts to protect the integrity of our prosecutions and ensure that any resulting conviction will stand. Illinois Supreme Court precedent makes it clear that law enforcement must initiate criminal investigations and then can refer the case to prosecutors for charging decisions and investigative support.

"The petition seeking a special prosecutor is frivolous, contains baseless allegations and gross misrepresentations of the law. 

"We are unable to comment further due to the pending litigation and look forward to the judge’s ruling."