Illinois Investigates Child Treatment During Large South Shore Federal Raid

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has directed the state's Department of Child and Family Services and Department of Human Services to investigate the treatment of children during a recent immigration raid in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. The raid, involving about 300 federal agents from agencies including Border Patrol, the FBI, and ATF, resulted in at least 37 arrests and reportedly used aggressive, military-style tactics, including zip-tying children and forcibly removing families from their homes. Witnesses described traumatic scenes with children being separated from parents and detained for hours, actions Pritzker condemned as unacceptable in a democracy. The raid targeted individuals allegedly linked to drug trafficking, weapons offenses, immigration violations, and the criminal group Tren de Aragua, though no evidence has been provided linking those arrested to the gang. The governor emphasized that if the state agencies find evidence of abuse or neglect by federal agents, they will pursue accountability measures, potentially involving local law enforcement. Community members and officials criticized the raid for instilling fear rather than safety, underscoring the need for a thorough evaluation and support for affected families.