Gov. J.B. Pritzker Launches “Accountability Commission” to Monitor Federal Operations in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has ignited fierce debate after announcing the creation of a new Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) — a first-of-its-kind independent body designed to monitor and publicly record the conduct of federal law enforcement agents operating within the state.

In a statement that immediately drew both praise and outrage, Pritzker accused the federal government of “pushing the boundaries of their authority to terrorize our communities,” vowing that Illinois would no longer tolerate “military-style operations” conducted without transparency or oversight.

“We will not meet intimidation with fear — we will meet it with truth,” Pritzker declared. “The federal government is disregarding all legal and moral accountability in the process. This commission will ensure the public knows exactly what is happening on the ground in our state.”

What the Commission Will Do

Under an executive order signed Thursday, the Illinois Accountability Commission will consist of up to nine governor-appointed members, including legal experts, civil rights advocates, journalists, and representatives from affected communities.

The IAC will be charged with reviewing and documenting the actions of federal law enforcement agencies conducting operations in Illinois, particularly in Chicago. Its mandate includes:

Investigating incidents involving excessive force, unmarked vehicles, and masked agents,

Collecting testimony from residents, officials, and experts,

Holding public hearings, and

Compiling a comprehensive report detailing the real-world impact of federal operations.

Pritzker’s office said the findings would be made available to both state and national leaders, as well as to the public, “to shed more light on misconduct and encourage reform.”

“We are going to show the public — here in Chicago, across Illinois, and around the world — exactly what is going on,” Pritzker said. “We will create a detailed record, and that record will reflect reality. Once this ends, people of good faith will demand accountability.”

A Blueprint for Other States

The governor’s executive order allows the commission to begin work immediately, without waiting for legislative approval — a move that supporters say gives Democratic governors across the country a model to replicate.

Pritzker’s aides pointed to numerous reports of unmarked vehicles, chemical irritants, and aggressive federal raids during past operations in Chicago as justification for the measure.

Political Reaction

Reaction to the announcement was swift. Progressive and civil rights groups praised the plan as a bold step toward transparency, while conservative commentators blasted it as political grandstanding. Some MAGA-aligned activists even accused Pritzker of “declaring war on federal law enforcement.”

Despite the controversy, Pritzker appeared undeterred.

“This is not about partisanship,” he said. “It’s about protecting the people of Illinois and ensuring the truth cannot be hidden behind a badge or a bureaucratic excuse.”

The Illinois Accountability Commission will begin convening its first round of public hearings within the next 60 days.