IL-FAFO

Let your Illinois state representative know that you support legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks while interacting with the public

During the Midway Blitz, masked and heavily armed federal agents were abducting our neighbors and terrorizing – often violently – the people who were witnessing and documenting the agents’ actions. So far, these agents have not been held accountable for their actions.

Last week, a federal judge in West Virginia underscored, specifically and forcefully, the unconstitutional use of masks by federal agents. In his ruling around the release of an El Salvadoran man from federal custody, Judge Joseph Godwin wrote “An anonymous government is no government at all. It cannot be held accountable. A masked agent freely uses force without justifying his actions and the public cannot name him to challenge his conduct. A regime of secret policing has no place in our society.”

We agree. So does Illinois Representative Barbara Hernandez, who introduced legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from wearing masks while interacting with the public, except under very limited circumstances.

Tell your Illinois Representative that you support this important legislation

You can learn more about the bill and check to see if your representative has already signed on as a sponsor here

• If your representative is already a sponsor, click through from their name to obtain contact information, then THANK THEM
• If they are NOT a sponsor, contact them and ask them to sponsor this important bill (sample script below)
• If you are not sure who represents you in Springfield, use the search function

Suggested Script:

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I live in [Cook] County. 

I’m reaching out to urge you to sponsor HB4086. We need to ensure that law enforcement officers are accountable for their actions. It’s nearly impossible to do so when they are allowed to operate anonymously by covering their faces and failing to wear an identification badge. We do not allow CPD officers to operate anonymously in our communities, and we should not permit federal agents to do so either. Allowing federal agents to act with impunity endangers the people of Cook County. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tell Superintendent Snelling that CPD Must Investigate Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum’s Shooting of Marimar Martinez

On October 4, 2025, Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times as she tried to drive away. DHS put out a statement saying the shooting was justified because the federal agents were “rammed by 10 cars” and “boxed in.” These were all lies. All charges against Ms. Martinez and Anthony Ruiz, her co-defendant, were dismissed in November.

The Chicago Police Department chose not to conduct its own investigation. Worse, CPD Superintendent Snelling parroted DHS’s false justification and implied Ms. Martinez deserved to be shot. During an October 6, 2025 press conference Snelling said “[i]f you box them in with vehicles…it’s reasonable for them to use force based on those conditions.”

Now, four months later, Snelling has not apologized. CPD still has not opened an investigation into Exum’s shooting of Marimar Martinez. State’s Attorney Burke claims she can’t prosecute until CPD investigates Exum and refers the case for prosecution. Snelling and Burke are protecting Exum, and each other, when they should be protecting us. 

Attend Thursday’s Police Board Meeting and tell Superintendent Snelling and the CPD to IMMEDIATELY open a criminal investigation into Exum’s shooting of Ms. Martinez

Where: City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters @ 3510 South Michigan Ave

How: Arrive by 7 p.m. and sign up to speak by 7:15. Each speaker is limited to two minutes. You can use the script below or put these facts into your own words.

I live in Chicago. I am very disappointed that the Chicago Police Department adopted Homeland Security’s version of events without conducting its own investigation.

It has now been more than four months since Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez. CPD must immediately open an investigation into Exum’s criminal act. The CPD can interview Ms. Martinez. They can interview Anthony Ruiz. They can review video. They can review the evidence from the failed federal prosecution of Ms. Martinez that was released by the FBI this week. It is CPD’s job to investigate violations of Illinois law – even when the perpetrator is a federal agent and even when he does not cooperate. If the CPD continues to give special treatment to federal agents, and permit them to violate Illinois law, it will embolden federal agents to injure more Chicago residents, and potentially kill them. Please do your job and immediately open an investigation into Charles Exum.