Potential terrorism prevention: Chicago Police Department among agencies on high alert amid US involvement in Israel-Iran war
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — As the global community monitors whether the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel will remain in effect, former federal, local law enforcement, and private security specialists report that police forces are maintaining high alert status, with constant threat assessments being conducted around the clock.

In Chicago on any given day, busy trains, packed buses and city sidewalks are all under constant surveillance.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

And as Americans rally en masse against action in the Middle East, its homeland protection that has police on edge.

“The existence of a ceasefire does not eliminate the risk of attacks on easy targets across the United States. Both law enforcement and the general public should stay extremely cautious in the coming days and weeks,” emphasized Derek Mayer, ABC7 Law Enforcement Expert and former top official with the U.S. Secret Service’s Chicago Field Office.

Police are identifying large outdoor gatherings in Chicago, such as concerts, street festivals, and the forthcoming Pride Parade, as potential major targets.

ABC7’s Police Affairs Consultant Bill Kushner, a former lieutenant with CPD said, “You can’t go into parts of millennial park without going through metal detectors, without being searched, that doesn’t stop vehicle borne devices or a large vehicle ramming through a crowd of people.”

Chicago police told the I-Team in part on Monday, “While there is no actionable intelligence in Chicago at this time, we are closely communicating with our federal and state partners.”

That includes the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center or STIC, where the I-Team has had rare access to see the 24/7 threat assessment center in action.

“So, there are fusion centers or intelligence centers in every major Police Department in every state, and there’s a great intelligence sharing network that goes on,” explained Kushner.

Mayer also stressed that there is monitoring on levels the public may be unaware of.

“Law enforcement and their intelligence divisions are monitoring social media. They’re monitoring email chatter. They’re trying to find out if there are any bad actors out there.”

ABC News has learned the FBI is now re-allocating potentially thousands of agents away from immigration enforcement work to focus on these kinds of cyberthreats.

Just last week cell phone video captured FBI agents assisting with an immigration operation in Elgin.

Now, agents will try and zero in on the sector that plagues law enforcement around the clock

“I think the biggest concern for myself and for every law enforcement professional in the country are lone wolf terrorists. There’s no doubt there’s sleeper cells within the United States. We’d like to think that the feds have a pretty good handle on where most of them are. It may not be actionable intelligence, but they have a pretty good idea where everybody’s at it’s the lone wolf terrorist, the individual who’s radicalized and he has decided to take action and his radical beliefs, those are the ones that are underneath everybody’s radar,” said Kushner.

The Department of Homeland Security released a bulletin over the weekend warning of foreign terror organizations calling for violence against US assets and people in the Middle East.

But law enforcement said that it could be entirely separate from individuals inspired to commit politically motivated violence on a much smaller scale like many of the attacks we’ve seen recently.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Small plane crashes in Fort Worth, reportedly leaving two dead and trucks ablaze

Two Dead and Trucks Engulfed in Flames Following Small Plane Crash in Fort Worth

A small plane crash in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday reportedly left…
Assault on Columbus statues sparked Italian-American groups to band together and fight back: community leader

Vandalism of Columbus Statues Unites Italian-American Organizations to Defend Their Heritage: Community Leader

Five years after statues of storied Italian explorer Christopher Columbus were toppled,…
Couple separated, kidnapped during Oct 7 Hamas attack finally reunited after hostage ordeal

Couple Kidnapped and Separated in October 7 Hamas Attack Finally Reunite After Hostage Crisis

A couple separated and taken hostage by Hamas from the Nova music…
Sand cliffs in Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach’s Sandy Cliffs

The City of Fernandina Beach reports some of the cliffs are as…
'Family Matters' star Darius McCrary arrested near U.S.-Mexico border

‘Family Matters’ Actor Darius McCrary Detained Close to U.S.-Mexico Border

(KTLA) — Darius McCrary, an actor and singer recognized for his role…
Cold case remains unsolved after 13 years

Thirteen-Year-Old Cold Case Still Unresolved

Julius Parrish was killed in a drive-by shooting on June 30, 2012.…
Second suspect arrested in April murder

Second Suspect Apprehended in Connection with April Homicide

Police say that the man was already imprisoned for prior charges before…
Mark Sanchez stabbed: Former NFL quarterback released from custody week after parking fight arrest, stabbing in Indianapolis

Former NFL QB Mark Sanchez Released from Custody Following Indianapolis Parking Dispute and Stabbing Incident

INDIANAPOLIS — Former NFL quarterback and sports commentator Mark Sanchez was freed…
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2025: More than 50K athletes step off from marathon route at Grant Park; street closures in place

2025 Chicago Marathon: Over 50,000 Runners Hit the Streets from Grant Park; Road Closures Announced

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tens of thousands of runners stepped off for the…
Social Security 2026 COLA announcement date revealed: How much will it be?

2026 Social Security COLA Announcement: What You Need to Know About the Increase

The cost-of-living adjustment was set to come out on Wednesday, but was…
Netanyahu calls Trump Israel’s 'greatest friend' as final living hostages released

Netanyahu hails Trump as Israel’s ‘greatest friend’ amid release of last living hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called President Donald Trump the…
In Resurfaced Clip, Liberal Host of 'The Five' Admits Immigration Is a Win for Rs, Loser for Ds

In Recovered Footage, ‘The Five’ Liberal Host Confesses Immigration Favors Republicans, Disadvantages Democrats

Jessica Tarlov, the liberal host of Fox News’ “The Five,” acknowledged that…