Chicago officials mull Midway Blitz investigations

Driving the news: Multiple authorities are now investigating whether federal agents overstepped during the operation.

• But two recent hearings highlight the slow pace of progress and continued disagreement over how to proceed.

Reality check: The process could take months or years.

Last Friday, lawyers presented arguments for and against appointing a special prosecutor, instead of Cook County State's Attorney (CCSA) Eileen O'Neill Burke, to investigate complaints against DHS agents.

• Days later, Gov. JB Pritzker's Illinois Accountability Commission wrapped up its final hearings with testimony, video and body cam footage of violent Midway Blitz incidents that often contradicted statements made by DHS officials.

What they're saying: "Our intention is to hold accountable the people who have committed these crimes or breached their obligations as law enforcement agents," Pritzker told NBC earlier this week.

• "And whether we can hold them responsible today or when there is a new Congress or a new president, that's what we're trying to do," he said.
• "It may take us a couple of years to go after people like Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, Tom Homan and Greg Bovino, but we are coming after them."

The other side: "Governor Pritzker continues to refuse to do his job to protect his citizens from illegal alien crime and instead chooses to smear our law enforcement," a DHS spokesperson told Axios.

• "Where is his investigation into his own policies that allowed Sheridan Gorman's killer to be released from jail to go on and commit her heinous murder?"

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey told Axios: "What's taking place isn't a real investigation; it's political theater masked as accountability. The hard truth is that JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson failed to do their jobs. Instead of enforcing the rule of law and keeping Illinois families safe, they chose to score political points with their far-left base."

State of play: More than 400 elected officials, faith leaders, community organizations and residents have signed a petition suggesting that CCSA O'Neill Burke needs to be replaced by a special prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes by federal agents.

• Lawyers for the petitioners say she suffers from a conflict illustrated by a memo from her office saying she declined co-signing a statement critical of Trump in order to "maintain excellent working relationships" with ATF and other federal agencies.

• As precedent for the move, the lawyers cited the Laquan McDonald case, where State's Attorney Anita Alvarez recused herself and allowed a special prosecutor to investigate.

Yes, but: Attorneys for the CCSA said O'Neill Burke declined to sign because it could have compromised her ability to prosecute neutrally in the future.

• They also said that they can't initiate an investigation, but only join one by law enforcement if asked for help.
• CCSA reps tell Axios that no local law enforcement has asked for help so far.

The intrigue: Axios asked Chicago police officials why they have not requested help from the CCSA on DHS cases, but the department did not respond to multiple questions over several days.

• Last fall, Lakeview resident Leo Feler said he repeatedly tried to file a police report for trespassing, breaking and entering, burglary, battery, assault and kidnapping by federal agents, but was met with resistance. Still, CPD confirmed to Axios at the time that the report was filed.

What's next: Judge Erica Reddick is expected to deliver a ruling on the special prosecutor on May 11.

• If Reddick agrees, a prosecutor could be appointed by the end of the year.