Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reported that sales in businesses in Chicago's La Villita neighborhood have fallen by half due to the raids that began in September as part of Operation Midway Blitz, which drastically altered the lives of residents.

“Families were afraid to take their children to school, go to work, or even open their small businesses, all because of a reckless federal operation carried out by President Trump and his cronies,” Governor Pritzker said in a statement. “It hurt our economy.” “This campaign of intimidation tore communities apart, hurt our economy, and violated the fundamental rights of those who call Illinois home. Illinois will continue to fight against these egregious abuses of power and protect the rights of Illinois families,” he declared. The governor shared that Little Village alone generates one billion dollars in annual sales, and with the presence of federal agents detaining people, the impact was felt acutely. In other areas with immigrant communities, approximately 146,000 businesses operate, generating nearly $3.8 billion in commercial revenue. 2.4 million Latinos in Illinois. “Businesses emptied out, and many companies reported year-over-year revenue declines of up to 50%,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Illinois is home to 2.4 million Latinos, who have one of the highest labor force participation rates in the country. Thousands of workers in sectors such as restaurants, construction, hospitality, and landscaping stayed home for fear of being arrested or had their work hours reduced due to loss of income,” the governor added. Sales in Little Village would be on par with the main downtown shopping district, where the so-called “Magnificent Mile” is home to the most expensive and famous luxury brands in the world.

“Fear and Uncertainty”

Thousands of workers face lost wages and income “due to fear and uncertainty,” Pritzker said. “And all because of an intimidation campaign that tore communities apart, in addition to violating people’s fundamental rights.”

“Federal agents carried out mass arrests in the middle of the night, often detaining people with no criminal record, including U.S. citizens. Businesses emptied as workers and customers stayed home in fear, schools saw a sudden increase in absenteeism, and community organizations scrambled to assist families suddenly separated,” she emphasized.

Widespread Trauma from What They Have Experienced

In response to the situation in Illinois, community and religious organizations mobilized to support the families who were separated. Illinois Welcome Centers distributed more than $150,000 in emergency assistance in October. “Beyond the measurable costs, residents reported widespread trauma, including accounts of: children bound with zip ties and detained, journalists and religious leaders assaulted, peaceful protesters gassed with chemical agents,” the governor added.