Evanston Seeks Accountability for Federal Agent Actions on Halloween

Many residents of Evanston recall the previous Halloween not for festivities, but as a deeply troubling day for their community. Mayor Daniel Biss described it as “among the most traumatic days our community has experienced.” Now, Evanston aims to prosecute those responsible.

On October 31, federal agents executed immigration enforcement raids across Chicago’s Northwest Side and nearby suburbs. Dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, this was part of the Trump administration’s extensive federal immigration actions in Chicago.

“After wreaking havoc in multiple locations, (federal agents) caused a car crash near Oakton and Asbury (in Evanston), beat and pepper-sprayed peaceful bystanders, pointed guns at residents, and detained people for hours,” Biss stated in a citywide notice to residents on August 17.

Biss asserted that the agents’ actions likely violated the Department of Homeland Security’s policies on use of force. Evanston wants to hold those agents responsible, but challenges exist. According to Biss, the Trump Administration would not use its own Department of Justice to prosecute federal agents. Thus, the state-level justice system remains the sole option for accountability.

In pursuit of this, Evanston police Chief Schenita Stewart submitted a “formal request for guidance” to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office’s law enforcement review unit (LERU). This unit investigates allegations of criminal conduct by law enforcement officers and decides if charges should be filed.

“We are requesting assistance from LERU to determine the most appropriate path forward,” Biss stated. Public pressure over legal action against immigration officers accused of violence led Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to release a policy in February on filing charges against federal agents.

The policy provides guidance for state prosecutors on pursuing misconduct charges against federal agents. It aids officers in investigating potential misconduct and helps prosecutors review these cases. “No one is above the law — including both ICE agents and prosecutors,” O’Neill Burke emphasized.

The Evanston Police Department initially began investigating federal agents’ alleged illegal use of force on Halloween. “The FBI then opened its own investigation with the intent of using EPD’s case materials,” Biss explained. “It is inconceivable that the FBI was acting in good faith,” he added.

The request to LERU connects to an April 30 report from Governor JB Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission. This commission examined federal agent conduct and offered policy recommendations regarding any harms caused. The report called the actions of federal agents Timothy Donahue, Thomas Parsons, and Edward Maxa a “brutal attack … without apparent justification.” It accused these agents of using “excessive force” and said there is a reasonable basis to investigate them for policy violations and potential crimes.

After a car crash in Evanston, a federal agent reportedly pointed a weapon twice at bystanders while trying to restrain a woman. Another agent allegedly kneeled on a man’s back and punched him.

The Cook County state’s attorney’s office is reviewing Evanston’s materials to assess what support it can offer. Following the Halloween raid, ICE agents revisited Evanston on December 17. During this operation, then-Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino publicly argued with Biss at a Home Depot parking lot.

As Evanston residents remain alert for any potential return of ICE and Border Patrol agents, federal officials continue advocating for protections for these agents, such as liability insurance and gloves capable of delivering electric shocks.