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Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts in Chicago

Our reporters duke it out over their favorite treats in town.

Food and Drink

This week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" data-vars-content-id="2608e0e9-7ba7-4e7a-837e-a2f60ec9ddd3" data-vars-headline="Food Fight: Where to get the best donuts in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/08/17/food-fight-best-thin-crust-pizza-dagostinos-foxs-michaels" target="_self">Food Fight</a> is all about Chicago&#x27;s best pillowy, fluffy, glazed, gooey and fresh-fried treats.Why it matters: Life&#x27;s too short for mediocre donuts.

Chicago's most beautiful houses of worship face off

Vote your favorites through our 16-site bracket to crown Chicago's most picturesque place of worship.

Culture

This month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Chicago tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" data-vars-content-id="17e46c77-73fa-41c5-8ff2-d84bbe247d57" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s most beautiful houses of worship face off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/27/best-living-chicago-celebrity-murray-pope-oprah-cusack-obama" target="_self">Axios Chicago tournament</a> is about the best-looking houses of worship in the Chicago area.Between the lines: We&#x27;re not talking faith. We&#x27;re talking architecture.

Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O'Hare 

There's no word yet on fare cost or a launch date.

Transit

The trip from downtown Chicago to O&#x27;Hare could take just 15 minutes if a new plan announced Tuesday takes off. Why it matters: Fast transportation from the city to O&#x27;Hare, like Elon Musk&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" data-vars-content-id="23c9f33a-9f8f-4ea3-93e9-a9902e6cbf41" data-vars-headline="Chicago civic leaders plan a 15-minute train to O&#x27;Hare " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/elon-musks-company-to-build-ohare-express-tunnel/147447/" target="_blank">&quot;Boring Company&quot; plan</a>, has fascinated leaders for years but hasn&#x27;t materialized.

Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score

The radio shakeup comes as Bears football gets underway for 2026/27.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jarrett Payton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/31/jarrett-payton-wgn-tv-sports-walter-bears-sports" target="_self">Jarrett Payton</a> will replace Mike &quot;Mully&quot; Mulligan as the co-host of the morning show at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Score" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" data-vars-content-id="d40e70a3-1cb9-40e6-921c-0a91fec21bf0" data-vars-headline="Jarrett Payton to replace Mike Mulligan on The Score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/14/670-the-score-fm-radio-bulls-cubs-sports-talk-moving" target="_self">The Score</a>. Why it matters: Payton brings a familiar Chicago sports voice — and one of the city&#x27;s most famous football names — to The Score&#x27;s flagship morning show just as the Bears season gets underway.

Illinois' undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future

It's unclear whether the state will appeal the recent federal court ruling striking down the law.

Education

A federal judge ruled this month that Illinois&#x27; laws allowing eligible <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented students" data-vars-click-url="http://axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/25/illinois-hosts-some-of-the-most-unauthorized-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="e041a75a-c960-416e-813a-17a9875437ff" data-vars-headline="Illinois&#x27; undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/25/illinois-hosts-some-of-the-most-unauthorized-immigrants" target="_self">undocumented students</a> to pay in-state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tuition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/06/northwestern-mutual-report-parents-pay-for-college" data-vars-content-id="e041a75a-c960-416e-813a-17a9875437ff" data-vars-headline="Illinois&#x27; undocumented student tuition law faces uncertain future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/06/06/northwestern-mutual-report-parents-pay-for-college" target="_self">tuition</a> are unconstitutional, threatening expanded college access for immigrants.Why it matters: The decision upends more than 20 years of Illinois legislation making it more affordable for tens of thousands of undocumented students to attend community college and university in Illinois.

Fruit vending complaints are growing downtown

The complaints have led to citations that have ended in deportation.

Politics

Last month we reported on an uptick in ticketing and arrests of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown fruit vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/27/recent-fruit-vendor-arrests-could-push-new-laws" data-vars-content-id="5605bd2f-8ddc-4e4a-9df1-07ab7622f50d" data-vars-headline="Fruit vending complaints are growing downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/27/recent-fruit-vendor-arrests-could-push-new-laws" target="_self">downtown fruit vendors</a>.Why it matters: Some of the citations sent the vendors to criminal court, where they were apprehended and detained by federal agents, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="despite a state law" data-vars-click-url="https://law.illinois.edu/bivens-act-a-good-start-but-imperfect-argue-mazzone-and-amar/" data-vars-content-id="5605bd2f-8ddc-4e4a-9df1-07ab7622f50d" data-vars-headline="Fruit vending complaints are growing downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://law.illinois.edu/bivens-act-a-good-start-but-imperfect-argue-mazzone-and-amar/" target="_blank">despite a state law</a> prohibiting courthouse-adjacent arrests.

Chicago police won't explain suspended DHS case

As officials urge residents to file police reports, CPD suspends one of the only public reports yet.

Public Safety

Mayor Brandon Johnson wants Chicagoans to file police reports on potential crimes by federal immigration agents. But after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lakeview homeowner did just that" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/03/ice-raids-halloween-illinois-lawsuit-chicago" data-vars-content-id="0a6e332e-e41a-4b2b-bf57-eb653bcfee8b" data-vars-headline="Chicago police won&#x27;t explain suspended DHS case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/03/ice-raids-halloween-illinois-lawsuit-chicago" target="_self">Lakeview homeowner did just that</a>, Chicago police suspended his case and won&#x27;t say why.Why it matters: The unexplained suspension of Leo Feler&#x27;s police report, one of the only known reports filed with the Chicago Police Department against federal agents, makes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entreaties by Johnson, police officials" data-vars-click-url="https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/17/mayor-johnson-urging-midway-blitz-victims-file-reports-cpd-further-investigation" data-vars-content-id="0a6e332e-e41a-4b2b-bf57-eb653bcfee8b" data-vars-headline="Chicago police won&#x27;t explain suspended DHS case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/17/mayor-johnson-urging-midway-blitz-victims-file-reports-cpd-further-investigation" target="_blank">entreaties by Johnson, police officials</a> and Cook County State&#x27;s Attorney Eileen O&#x27;Neill Burke ring hollow.

Chicago homeowner sues over warrantless raid

The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fourth Amendment.

Immigration

A Lakeview homeowner is suing the U.S. government after Customs and Border Protection agents entered his property without a warrant, assaulted workers installing windows and took one away last October, his lawsuit alleges.Why it matters: This marks one of the few formal legal actions a Chicagoan has taken following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Midway Blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" data-vars-content-id="c4733515-98e4-4260-b1fb-5daf66f68fab" data-vars-headline="Chicago homeowner sues over warrantless raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" target="_self">Operation Midway Blitz</a>, during which, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state officials say" data-vars-click-url="https://ilac.illinois.gov/" data-vars-content-id="c4733515-98e4-4260-b1fb-5daf66f68fab" data-vars-headline="Chicago homeowner sues over warrantless raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ilac.illinois.gov/" target="_blank">state officials say</a>, federal agents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="routinely broke the law" data-vars-click-url="https://ilac.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/ilac/documents/final-report/IAC-Final-Report-April-2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c4733515-98e4-4260-b1fb-5daf66f68fab" data-vars-headline="Chicago homeowner sues over warrantless raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ilac.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/ilac/documents/final-report/IAC-Final-Report-April-2026.pdf" target="_blank">routinely broke the law</a>. <ul><li>Thousands across the country are also trying to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="find paths to accountability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ice-expansion-has-outpaced-accountability-what-are-the-remedies/" data-vars-content-id="c4733515-98e4-4260-b1fb-5daf66f68fab" data-vars-headline="Chicago homeowner sues over warrantless raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ice-expansion-has-outpaced-accountability-what-are-the-remedies/" target="_blank">find paths to accountability</a>.</li></ul>

New DHS rule adds hurdles for Illinois international students

A new DHS policy could add costs, delays and uncertainty for 66,000 international students in Illinois.

A new federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/immigration" data-vars-content-id="3130af1f-3636-4ccd-ab95-2560144d1e01" data-vars-headline="New DHS rule adds hurdles for Illinois international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/immigration" target="_self">immigration</a> rule could make it harder for Illinois universities to attract and keep international students.Why it matters: International students make up a significant portion of the population at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago and Illinois schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/21/uchicago-northwestern-financial-aid-lawsuit-settlement-payments-class-action" data-vars-content-id="3130af1f-3636-4ccd-ab95-2560144d1e01" data-vars-headline="New DHS rule adds hurdles for Illinois international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/07/21/uchicago-northwestern-financial-aid-lawsuit-settlement-payments-class-action" target="_self">Chicago and Illinois schools</a>, and they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="generally pay higher" data-vars-click-url="https://theworld.org/stories/2024/03/28/high-fees-paid-international-students-help-us-universities-balance-their-books" data-vars-content-id="3130af1f-3636-4ccd-ab95-2560144d1e01" data-vars-headline="New DHS rule adds hurdles for Illinois international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theworld.org/stories/2024/03/28/high-fees-paid-international-students-help-us-universities-balance-their-books" target="_blank">generally pay higher</a> tuition and fees than domestic students. Making the barrier to entry more stringent could cut off a key source of tuition and talent for local colleges.

Recent fruit vendor arrests could push new laws

Some local fruit vendors were apprehended after court hearings, but new laws could be coming.

Recent arrests of Chicago <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fruit vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/25/chicago-snacks-crazy" data-vars-content-id="22e4e42b-99e9-4106-acbb-72ad29c4f3e9" data-vars-headline="Recent fruit vendor arrests could push new laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/09/25/chicago-snacks-crazy" target="_self">fruit vendors</a> have exposed bad communication between city departments, but also an opportunity to update old street vending laws.Why it matters: The arrests and tickets have sent vendors to criminal courts where some have been apprehended by federal agents and faced detention and deportation, immigrant advocates report.

CPD faces ICE monitoring questions

Six months after a mayoral executive order, advocates say policy changes are unclear.

As ICE apprehensions ramp up in Chicago, police officials will face tough questions Friday about compliance with mayoral directives to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="address potential crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/14/report-immigration-abuse-illinois" data-vars-content-id="4d519e3f-399e-4f9c-bf19-6d6bf7445ad7" data-vars-headline="CPD faces ICE monitoring questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/14/report-immigration-abuse-illinois" target="_self">address potential crimes</a> by immigration agents.Why it matters: Six months after Mayor Brandon Johnson issued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE on Notice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2026/january/ice-on-notice.html" data-vars-content-id="4d519e3f-399e-4f9c-bf19-6d6bf7445ad7" data-vars-headline="CPD faces ICE monitoring questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2026/january/ice-on-notice.html" target="_blank">ICE on Notice</a>, an order directing police to monitor and even seek charges against federal agents, advocates say it&#x27;s unclear what results, if any, have emerged.

Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on

DHS officials say they're "not going to confirm our vehicles."

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging residents to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report immigration agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/14/report-immigration-abuse-illinois" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/14/report-immigration-abuse-illinois" target="_self">report immigration agents</a> who remove their license plates after a video appearing to show an agent with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a plateless SUV went viral." data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaLTNbSCbrE/" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaLTNbSCbrE/" target="_blank">a plateless SUV went viral.</a> Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaNyl1Fif4T/" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaNyl1Fif4T/" target="_blank">The announcement</a> is reigniting battles between Illinois and the feds as federal immigration operations are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quietly ramping up again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-arrests-increase-significantly-marking-turn-immigration-strategy-rcna352736" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-arrests-increase-significantly-marking-turn-immigration-strategy-rcna352736" target="_blank">quietly ramping up again</a> around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEil0Q698MA" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEil0Q698MA" target="_blank">Chicago</a> and across the nation after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Congress narrowly approved $70 billion in funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/09/nx-s1-5851664/house-reconciliation-vote-immigration-enforcement-ice-border-patrol" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/09/nx-s1-5851664/house-reconciliation-vote-immigration-enforcement-ice-border-patrol" target="_blank">Congress narrowly approved $70 billion in funding</a> for the agency.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Let me be absolutely clear: tampering with, removing, obscuring or operating a vehicle without the required license plates is illegal in Illinois,&quot; Giannoulias says in an Instagram post. <ul><li>&quot;That applies to everyone. No one is above the law. So if you see a vehicle with missing, altered or obscured plates, we need you to report it [at 312-814-1730 or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="platewatch@ilsos.gov" data-vars-click-url="mailto:platewatch@ilsos.gov" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:platewatch@ilsos.gov" target="_blank">platewatch@ilsos.gov</a>].&quot;</li></ul>The other side: &quot;DHS is not going to confirm our vehicles and put an even larger target on our officers&#x27; backs or confirm law enforcement tactics,&quot; the DHS press office wrote to Axios in response to questions about plateless vehicles.<ul><li>&quot;When our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations, they clearly identify themselves as law enforcement while wearing masks to protect themselves from being targeted by highly sophisticated gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, criminal rings, murderers, and rapists.&quot;</li><li>DHS officials did not respond to multiple follow-up questions asking if they specifically approve of officers driving in cars without plates.</li></ul>Friction point: Some commenters on Giannoulias&#x27; post claimed that federal or undercover agents aren&#x27;t required to drive with license plates. But officials at the Illinois secretary of state&#x27;s office say that&#x27;s not true.<ul><li>&quot;There is no general exemption excluding undercover police vehicles from displaying registration or license plates. However, in order to avoid displaying &#x27;municipal police&#x27; plates, undercover police vehicles obtain standard passenger registration,&quot; ILSOS officials tell Axios.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Immigration watchers, including former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who heads the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE Accountability Project," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/12/lightfoot-ice-accountability-investigations" data-vars-content-id="f1c15b65-f525-4297-8c75-533ab7346944" data-vars-headline="Giannoulias warns ICE agents to keep plates on" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/12/lightfoot-ice-accountability-investigations" target="_self">ICE Accountability Project,</a> are warning that &quot;immigration enforcement activity is increasing across Chicagoland even as it becomes harder for the public to see and document,&quot; she said in a recent statement.

Judge denies ask for Midway Blitz special prosecutor

The state's attorney says she will consider all cases referred to her office.

A Cook County judge on Thursday rejected a request for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special prosecutor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/11/special-prosecutor-federal-operation-midway-blitz-oneill-burke-delay-may-21" data-vars-content-id="41f0f427-b2ab-4272-a5ab-ab5fc6e8f0ff" data-vars-headline="Judge denies ask for Midway Blitz special prosecutor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/11/special-prosecutor-federal-operation-midway-blitz-oneill-burke-delay-may-21" target="_self">special prosecutor</a> to tackle complaints against federal agents tied to Operation Midway Blitz.Why it matters: Circuit Court Judge Erica Reddick&#x27;s ruling is a blow to 415 activists, clergy, media, and elected officials who petitioned for the change, saying Cook County State&#x27;s Attorney Eileen O&#x27;Neill Burke &quot;abdicated her statutory duty&quot; by, so far, not prosecuting any agents for misconduct in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the immigration operation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" data-vars-content-id="41f0f427-b2ab-4272-a5ab-ab5fc6e8f0ff" data-vars-headline="Judge denies ask for Midway Blitz special prosecutor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" target="_self">the immigration operation</a>.Catch up quick: Last fall federal immigration agents flooded the city, leading to multiple allegations of illegal use of force and civil rights violations but so far, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="few investigations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-police-to-investigate-shooting-by-ice" data-vars-content-id="41f0f427-b2ab-4272-a5ab-ab5fc6e8f0ff" data-vars-headline="Judge denies ask for Midway Blitz special prosecutor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-police-to-investigate-shooting-by-ice" target="_self">few investigations</a>.Yes, but: O&#x27;Neill Burke says — and Reddick agrees — that the state&#x27;s attorney can&#x27;t legally initiate an investigation and must wait for law enforcement to refer a case to her office.<ul><li>Reddick further said the petitioners failed to show that O&#x27;Neill Burke has a conflict of interest or that her office won&#x27;t prosecute any future cases.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Today&#x27;s ruling affirms &quot;that the state&#x27;s attorney&#x27;s office has not abrogated our duty and the facts that gave rise to this petition are not based on the law,&quot; O&#x27;Neill Burke said triumphantly outside the courtroom.<ul><li>She did, however, add that anyone who &quot;believes in constitutional government was repulsed by ICE behavior during their Operation Midway Blitz&quot; and that she remains open to considering all cases referred to her.</li></ul><figure><img alt="man in suit in front of cameras" height="2976" id="19c13ed4-a04a-4d06-be98-def68416b852" src="https://images.axios.com/zWlmYrMGl6i-1W5rjQ_QMTKCJek=/2026/05/21/1779394656805.jpeg" width="4953"/><figcaption>Loevy &amp; Loevy attorney Locke Bowman Thursday in Cook County Court. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios </figcaption></figure>The other side: &quot;The path of accountability does not end here,&quot; attorney for the petitioners, Locke Bowman, said outside the courtroom. He says he&#x27;ll be helping Chicagoans bring complaints to police for investigation that can then be referred to O&#x27;Neill-Burke.Between the lines: The ruling portends a longer road to prosecutions, which frustrated former mayor and founder of the ICE Accountability Project Lori Lightfoot. She said in a Thursday statement: <ul><li>&quot;In Minnesota, Hennepin County authorities moved from incident to criminal charges against federal agents within months. Here in Cook County, eight months later, the public is still waiting to see who is leading the broader accountability effort.&quot; </li></ul>The intrigue: Axios has repeatedly asked Chicago police if and how they are investigating complaints filed against federal agents involved in the operation.<ul><li>We&#x27;ve received no response.</li></ul>

Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases

The decision was delayed by new evidence from the Illinois Accountability Commission.

A judge is delaying a decision on whether to appoint a special prosecutor to handle alleged crimes by federal agents during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Operation Midway Blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/12/08/dhs-claims-contradicted-video-court" target="_self">Operation Midway Blitz</a> after petitioners submitted new evidence last week.Why it matters: This latest delay highlights continued disagreement between local progressives and Cook County State&#x27;s Attorney Eileen O&#x27;Neill Burke&#x27;s office on the issue.<ul><li>But it also illustrates the potential power of the recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Illinois Accountability Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/23/illinois-accountability-commission-federal-force-ice" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/10/23/illinois-accountability-commission-federal-force-ice" target="_self">Illinois Accountability Commission</a> (IAC) report, documenting multiple alleged crimes by agents across the Chicago area.</li></ul>Catch up quick: More than 90 elected officials, along with organizers and clergy, filed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a March petition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.loevy.com/press-release-call-for-special-prosecutor-for-dhs-crimes/" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.loevy.com/press-release-call-for-special-prosecutor-for-dhs-crimes/" target="_blank">a March petition</a> asking Judge Erica Reddick to appoint a special prosecutor, instead of O&#x27;Neill Burke, to handle Operation Midway Blitz cases.<ul><li>Last month, Reddick <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heard arguments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXh6py7iUPD/" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXh6py7iUPD/" target="_blank">heard arguments</a> and said she&#x27;d rule on May 11.</li><li>But last Wednesday, petitioners filed new evidence <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="based on the IAC report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/29/chicago-officials-mull-midway-blitz-investigations" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/29/chicago-officials-mull-midway-blitz-investigations" target="_self">based on the IAC report</a> and the state&#x27;s attorney filed a response.</li><li>Given the new evidence and need for a follow-up response, Reddick has delayed her final ruling.</li></ul>Between the lines: The IAC report is proving influential on multiple fronts.<ul><li>Evidence from the report, last week, prompted<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" a &quot;use of force&quot; investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-police-to-investigate-shooting-by-ice" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/05/06/illinois-police-to-investigate-shooting-by-ice" target="_self"> a &quot;use of force&quot; investigation</a> by Illinois State Police on the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González, which the State&#x27;s Attorney&#x27;s office is helping investigate and could ultimately prosecute. </li></ul>Yes, but: That cooperation may not be enough for Judge Reddick, who on Monday asked why the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" State&#x27;s Attorney&#x27;s written protocol " data-vars-click-url="https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/news/cook-county-states-attorneys-office-implements-charging-protocol-use-force-incidents-involving" data-vars-content-id="80034f91-b8d2-43cf-bbaa-75a370a0dfc8" data-vars-headline="Judge delays decision on special prosecutor in Operation Midway Blitz cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/news/cook-county-states-attorneys-office-implements-charging-protocol-use-force-incidents-involving" target="_blank"> State&#x27;s Attorney&#x27;s written protocol </a>singles out &quot;use of force&quot; crimes for potential prosecution and omits &quot;conspiracy or perjury.&quot;What&#x27;s next: The petitioners are set to present a final response by Friday and Reddick is scheduled to announce her decision on May 21.