(NewsNation) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday authorizing the creation of an accountability commission after the deployment of federal officers to the state.
At a news conference, Pritzker announced the creation of the Illinois Accountability Commission, dedicated to “truth, transparency and justice.” Tensions have risen in the state as demonstrators call for more accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
“I am angry because this is not the country that I want for us,” Pritzker said. “This is not the country that any of us thought that we were living in. And yet here it is, nine months into an administration, I wish we didn’t have to do this. Can you imagine that we have to do this in this country?”
Pritzker said the commission will have three core missions: Creating a public record of the alleged abuses, capturing the impact on families and communities and recommending actions to prevent further harm and to pursue justice.
“It is imperative that none of the impropriety, brutality and harassment perpetrated upon our people goes unnoticed,” Pritzker said. “Every instance of abuse, of law-breaking and violations of rights needs to be documented and archived.”
Rubén Castillo, a former federal judge, has been tasked with leading the commission. Castillo said the commission is focused on upholding the Constitution and civil rights. He asked the public to remain patient as the commission begins to review video evidence of federal agent misconduct.
“Be peaceful,” Castillo urged. “You can protest, but it needs to be peaceful.”
Earlier this month, an Illinois judge ordered federal officers to wear body cameras during immigration operations, citing growing concerns over clashes with protesters outside an ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she was startled by reports that agents used tear gas during confrontations with the public.
An attorney with the Justice Department argued that not all officers are equipped with cameras and that the ongoing government shutdown would make it difficult to comply.
Pritzker said the commission will not have subpoena power but will instead invite people to appear.
“I do want to say to people who are ICE agents today or CBP, people who are holding higher office, secretaries in the administration, that if they do not follow the law, they will be held accountable,” Pritzker said. “And there will be archives and records of what happened here.”
Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant Department of Homeland Security, accused Pritzker of continuing to “smear law enforcement who simply enforce the rule of law” to “remove violent criminals from Illinois because the govenor refuses to do his job.
“DHS law enforcement officers follow the law and the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said in a statement provided to NewsNation. “Violent rioters and terrorists have opened fire on law enforcement officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, and have destroyed multiple law enforcement vehicles. Others have chosen to ignore commands and have attempted to impede law enforcement operations and used their vehicles as weapons against our officers.”
“They have routinely been doxxed, stalked and threatened by vicious gangs and unhinged activists. Despite these grave threats and dangerous situations, our law enforcement (officers) show incredible restraint and professionalism in exhausting all options before any kind of non-lethal force is used.”
NewsNation’s Jeff Arnold contributed reporting to this story