Last Halloween was a day of trauma for many Evanstonians, not because of costumes and candy, but due to ICE raids. Mayor Daniel Biss described it as one of the most distressing times for the community. Federal agents conducted immigration raids in Chicago’s Northwest Side and nearby suburbs under Operation Midway Blitz. This initiative was part of the Trump administration’s broad immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago.
Federal agents caused chaos, reportedly leading to a car crash near Oakton and Asbury in Evanston. They allegedly beat and pepper-sprayed peaceful bystanders, aimed guns at residents, and detained individuals for hours. Biss stated the actions of the agents likely violated Department of Homeland Security’s use of force policies. Evanston seeks to hold these agents accountable. However, determining how and who will pursue this accountability poses challenges. Biss highlighted the complexity due to the constraints of the ‘normal’ legal channels under the Trump Administration.
The federal government rarely prosecutes its agents through the Department of Justice. Consequently, the state-level criminal justice system remains the only option. Biss announced that Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart requested guidance from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office’s law enforcement review unit (LERU). LERU is responsible for investigating law enforcement officers accused of criminal offenses.
Eileen O’Neill Burke, Cook County State’s Attorney, commented, ‘No one is above the law — including both ICE agents and prosecutors.’
Public dissatisfaction over the lack of action against the ICE officers prompted Burke to circulate a policy in February. The document guides officers in investigating potential misconduct and aids prosecutors in reviewing these cases. The Evanston Police Department initially opened an investigation into the agents’ actions. The FBI later initiated its own investigation using the Evanston Police Department’s case materials.
Governor JB Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission released a report analyzing the Evanston incident. It described the federal agents’ actions as a ‘brutal attack without apparent justification,’ alleging excessive force. The report suggested a formal investigation into possible violations of agency policies and laws might be necessary. The commission identified federal agents Timothy Donahue, Thomas Parsons, and Edward Maxa as responsible for these actions.
Investigators continue to scrutinize evidence, including an incident where a federal agent pointed a weapon twice toward onlookers while trying to restrain a woman. Another agent reportedly kneeled on a man’s back and punched him on October 31, 2025. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office affirmed that its review unit is examining Evanston’s materials to determine how they can support the case.
Following the raid, ICE agents returned to Evanston on December 17. The return led to a public dispute in a Home Depot parking lot between then-Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and Biss, during another immigration enforcement mission. Evanston residents remain vigilant, wary of potential returns by ICE and Border Patrol agents. Meanwhile, federal officials seek protections for these agents, proposing measures such as liability insurance and electrified gloves.