Today, the Mayor’s Office released the findings of their internal review of the June 4th mass detention at the 2245 S. Michigan Avenue ISAP office, as well as the records and communications requested by the Order (SOr2025-0017810) that we introduced in June.
I’m grateful that some movement has been made toward accountability for what happened on June 4th. But while I support Mayor’s Office recommendations –– which include increased training for both the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), stricter protocols for 911 calls related to immigration, a formal review requirement after any CPD response involving immigration, and amendments to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) ordinance to make explicit their authority to investigate potential Welcome City Ordinance violations –– questions remain.
It has now been nearly two months since the incident, and we have yet to determine whether an independent investigation has begun. It is crucial that we take whatever steps necessary –– including amending the COPA ordinance –– to ensure that a delay like this doesn’t happen again. CPD also has not yet released body cam footage, and the footage will likely be redacted, so we need to understand what has been redacted and why.
Most importantly, we need to answer the question of how to ensure justice is served quickly if an incident like this happens again –– which is likely, given that ICE has now been given a nearly limitless budget to wreak havoc in our communities. We owe what accountability we have gotten so far to the action of organizers on the ground and to journalists’ reporting. We can’t depend on these outside measures going forward; we have to identify our gaps and change our protocols so that we are fully equipped to protect our city in the months ahead.
I will continue working with my colleagues and the Mayor’s Office to get answers to these questions, and to make whatever changes we need to ensure that we are living up to our values as a Welcoming City.
