Chicago’s ‘Protecting Chicago’ Order Aims to Block Federal Militarized Actions, Keep CPD Independent

The Big Picture

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed Executive Order 2025-6 establishing the “Protecting Chicago” Initiative to defend residents’ rights and oppose any federal militarized deployments inside the city. The order demands a stand-down from any National Guard or similar actions and reasserts CPD’s local control.

What’s New

The directive coordinates City departments and partners to publish “Know Your Rights” guidance for sensitive locations (schools, hospitals, shelters, houses of worship), file regular FOIA requests to DHS, and work with consulates to document federal activity. Lawful cooperation with agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ATF continues where permitted by law, the order notes.

What They’re Saying

Context

The order argues that unauthorized domestic military deployments threaten civil liberties and risk escalation. It emphasizes constitutional policing: no masks to conceal identity, body-worn cameras activated during public interactions, and clearly visible identification. CPD officers must wear uniforms or outer garments that conspicuously identify them as CPD.

What’s Next

The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant and Refugee Rights will roll out a multilingual Family Preparedness campaign and issue updated guidance to ensure adherence to the Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois Trust Act. The City also pledges to use all available legal and legislative avenues to counter federal actions that infringe on residents’ rights.

The Bottom Line

Chicago is moving pre-emptively to limit any federal militarized presence or immigration sweeps, assert CPD’s independence, and equip residents with clear rights information while preserving lawful collaboration with federal law enforcement when required.

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