Chicago City Wire

Thomas Weitzel, former chief of police for the Riverside Police Department, has said that politicians who participated in a confrontation at the ICE processing center in Broadview committed a criminal act. This statement was made on X.

"Today's attack on ICE & local police at the Broadview, IL processing center is a criminal act," said Weitzel. "The politicians who participated are activists. You are an elected official, & you fight law enforcement? You should be removed."

At the ICE Broadview Processing Center near Chicago, protests have intensified in 2025 as activists and local officials oppose "Operation Midway Blitz," a federal enforcement surge. According to The Guardian, demonstrators blocked entrances, slashed tires, and hurled rocks and fireworks, while federal officers responded with tear gas and pepper balls. These confrontations underscore broader tensions between immigration enforcement priorities and demands for oversight and community-based solutions.

ICE enforcement actions in Illinois have increased significantly under the latest federal operation. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, arrests from January to July 2025 rose by 59% compared to 2024, while detainee counts at Broadview and Chicago facilities surged by 185%. Analysts attribute much of this increase to coordinated actions under "Midway Blitz," reflecting both intensified federal policy and rising pressure on local communities.

Nationwide, violence against immigration officers has escalated. According to the Department of Homeland Security, assaults on ICE agents rose by 500% in 2025, including incidents where officers were dragged by vehicles during arrests. A notable incident occurred on July 4, 2025, when attackers ambushed the Prairieland detention facility in Texas with fireworks and firearms, injuring a police officer. Officials cite these events as evidence of growing risks faced by enforcement personnel.

Weitzel is the retired Chief of Police of Riverside, Illinois, having served for 37 years, including 13 as chief until his retirement in 2021. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, he advanced through the ranks from patrol officer to lieutenant and survived an early-career ambush where he was shot in the chest. Post-retirement, he remains active in national law enforcement advocacy focusing on officer safety and community policing initiatives.

The Riverside Police Department serves the Village of Riverside near Chicago with an emphasis on community policing and regional cooperation. According to the Village of Riverside, it is a member of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System and prioritizes youth outreach, crime prevention, and mental health response under past leadership. Despite its modest size, it plays a significant role in ensuring safety and public trust in the area.