CHICAGO (WLS) – In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker participated in a Sunday briefing with fellow American governors alongside Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The situation intensified Monday when Iran launched missiles targeting a U.S. base in Qatar, following a series of strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran. This escalation occurred shortly after Operation Midnight Hammer, leading to heightened concerns over regional security.
Following these developments, President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran later that day.
In light of these events, Homeland Security and the FBI issued warnings to state and local officials, indicating that the recent military actions have heightened the threat environment across the country.
The Chicago Police Department stated that while there is currently no actionable intelligence indicating a local threat, they are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with federal and state partners.
CPD emphasized, “We are closely communicating with our federal and state partners to receive updates to ensure sufficient resources are in place throughout the city.”
The Illinois State Police released a statement expressing their commitment to public safety.
“The ISP Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC) works with local, state, and federal law enforcement and public safety partners to monitor for and identify potential threats. At this time, no credible threats have been identified and we remain vigilant,” they noted.
They also highlighted the importance of public vigilance: “We ask the public to report any suspicious activity to local authorities, who are in direct communication with STIC.”
Northwestern University communicated their awareness of the situation, stating that university leadership in Evanston has been in consistent contact with counterparts in Doha to ensure the safety of their faculty, staff, and students on the Doha campus.
Pritzker took to X to reassure the public that he is in consultation with federal authorities and is keeping a close eye on developments. He emphasized that there are no known local threats at this time.
As the situation unfolds, there are significant questions regarding the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program as a result of the recent attacks.
Trump asserted that Iranian facilities were “obliterated” during the military operations.
Congressman Darin LaHood of Illinois remarked, “Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism, and allowing them to develop a nuclear weapon would have devastating consequences for the United States, our partners in the Middle East, and allies around the world.”
LaHood continued to support Trump’s actions, stating, “President Trump used his constitutional authority to protect the United States and direct our brave service members to conduct an exceptionally precise and successful mission against three of Iran’s nuclear sites.”
However, he acknowledged the risks posed by Iran’s retaliatory actions, pointing out, “Iran’s telegraphed response, targeting two U.S. military bases in the region, shows how weak the authoritarian regime has truly become.”
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commented on the damage assessment, stating, “Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessment indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.”
He detailed that satellite imagery corroborates the severe impacts on the targeted nuclear facilities, particularly noting that the Fordow facility, which is built underground, was a critical target.
“We really can’t know what went on underneath the ground in Fordow. The president called it a monumental success, but it all happened 200 feet down, and we can’t see with satellites,” noted Colonel Steve Ganyard.
As the exchange of missile attacks continued between Israel and Iran, Trump announced the ceasefire agreement, aiming to de-escalate the conflict.
The context of these recent strikes has raised concerns among foreign policy experts and local lawmakers.
According to Paul Past, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, Iran’s retaliation is largely symbolic, allowing both sides to assert they have taken action without facing tangible consequences.
Past stated, “A lot of these attacks right now are in many ways symbolic, kind of allowing both sides to be able to say they’ve taken action, but without having to actually suffer, if you will, the consequences of these actions.”
However, not all lawmakers share the same perspective. Congressman Brad Schneider expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “I’m not going to be dismissive of this by any means. Iran has threatened the United States since the regime took over in 1979 chanting Death to America, Death to Israel.”
A strong supporter of Israel, Schneider recently returned from the Middle East and while he advocates for diplomatic solutions, he supports measures aimed at mitigating Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
He emphasized, “The consistent message was that a nuclear armed Iran is a threat to every country in the Gulf region and in the broader Middle East, but they all want the de-escalation.”
Before the ceasefire announcement, Congressman Mike Quigley expressed concerns regarding potential retaliatory actions from Iran, which he characterized as the greatest state sponsor of terror.
“Iran is probably the greatest state sponsor of terror in the world, and they have extraordinary capabilities. So obviously, we’re concerned about the homeland and service members,” Quigley stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat.
Quigley, along with Schneider and Trump, hopes for a swift diplomatic resolution but acknowledges the complexities of the situation, recalling past challenges with diplomacy regarding Iran.
Past commented, “It’s important to remember that when he pulled out of the original Iran deal that was brokered by President Barack Obama, he claimed he was going to come up with a new deal right away. He failed to do that, but I still think that’s something that he’s interested in trying to achieve.”
The announcement of a ceasefire was coupled with Trump suggesting the possibility of regime change in Iran. He posed the question, “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”
Vice President JD Vance clarified that regime change is not the administration’s goal, stating, “Well first of all, we don’t want to achieve regime change; we want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear program.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated this stance in the morning briefing, mentioning, “If they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime? That’s a question the president raised last night.”
Locally, organizations opposing U.S. involvement organized an anti-war protest Monday evening at Federal Plaza, reflecting a segment of public sentiment regarding military action abroad.
Amid these tensions, Dr. Louis Kraus, who leads the child and adolescent psychiatry efforts at Rush University, provided guidance on managing anxiety related to these global events.
Dr. Kraus stressed the importance of remaining calm in the presence of children, encouraging parents to wait for children to express their concerns and offer reassurance that everything will be okay.
In a full statement from Governor Pritzker’s office, he highlighted the ongoing assessments being made in response to the situation.
“Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Governor Pritzker has been receiving briefings from federal, state, and local law enforcement to continue assessing potential physical or cyber threats that could impact Illinois,” the statement said.
Pritzker participated in a DHS public safety and security briefing for Governors, where DHS issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin reflecting heightened threats in the U.S.
His office indicated, “Governor Pritzker will continue receiving briefings and ensuring law enforcement remain vigilant to protect the safety of all Illinoisans.”
Furthermore, the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) reached out to state employees regarding potential digital threats during these uncertain times.
image source from：abc7chicago
