State's "Midway Blitz" panel releases findings

THE WEST LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- Leaders of the state's commission looking into actions of federal agents during "Operation Midway Blitz" are showing their work, which they say shows a path for local authorities to hold agents accountable.

The Illinois Accountability Commission released its final report Thursday based on testimony, video recordings and other material gathered over the last month, and chairman Judge Ruben Castillo said the report documents evidence to suggest that agents acted illegally, including in the shooting death of Silverio Villegas Gonzales, and the shooting in Chicago of Marimar Martinez.

"There's plenty of stuff in that report that can be prosecuted," said the retired federal judge during an appearance with Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the state's office building, 555 W. Monroe. "Shooting people without justification is not within the scope of someone's 'lawful authority.'"

The governor told reporters that the report is being sent to prosecutors and police agencies in the area.

"Our hope is that they will review this, and take any appropriate steps to see that justice is delivered," Gov. Pritzker said. "We can't let Americans forget the offenses that happened here."

"There has to be a reckoning," Judge Castillo added. "Our communities have just been devastated."

Judge Castillo added he believed the report turned up he hopes the report from the Illinois Accountability Commission that he chaired helps bring that about.

One of the offices receiving the report is that of Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke, who's pushed back against calls to charge immigration agents, citing concerns about the appearance of political influence. Following the release of the Commission's report, her office released a statement saying in part that prosecutors cannot file charges unless they're investigated by a law enforcement agency.

Judge Castillo denied that politics played any role in the report's creation: "This is a human rights issue." He also noted there's a solution if she doesn't want to file charges: "Step aside, and let a special prosecutor come in and do what needs to be done."