Thu Oct 23 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Illinois Launches Commission to Investigate Immigration Enforcement Practices

CHICAGO (WLS) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has established the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) with an executive order signed Thursday, aiming to scrutinize the actions of immigration enforcement agents within the state.

The commission, chaired by former U.S. District Court Judge Ruben Castillo with Attorney Patricia Brown Holmes serving as vice chair, will focus on three key objectives: creating a public record of alleged abuses, documenting the impact of immigration enforcement on families and communities, and recommending preventative measures to mitigate potential harm. Other members include Aurora Austriaco, University of Chicago Professor Susan R. Gzesh, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero and retired CPD Commander Cindy Sam.

According to Pritzker, the public will be able to report incidents to the commission through a designated website, http://www.ilac.gov, although the site was not yet operational at the time of reporting.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which issued a statement accusing Governor Pritzker of “smearing law enforcement who simply [are] enforcing the rule of law and are putting their lives on the line to remove violent criminals from Illinois.” The DHS statement further defended its officers, claiming they “follow the law and the U.S. Constitution” and face significant threats and violence while maintaining professionalism.

This development comes as a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, indefinitely blocking the deployment of the National Guard in the Chicago area. The initial order was set to expire on Thursday. The Trump administration previously vowed a federal “surge” in American cities, including Chicago, to combat crime.

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