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
Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hosts 11th annual 'Off to College Trunk Party' for Chicago high school graduates

Ex-Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Celebrates 11th ‘Off to College Trunk Party’ for Chicago Graduates

CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hosted his…
Furious mother-daughter duo viciously attacks driver for moving trash cans reserving parking spot: video

Irate Mother and Daughter Assault Driver for Shifting Trash Cans Saved for Parking: Watch the Video

Two people were taken into custody in New York City last week…
Aurora, Colorado dentist James Craig accused of poisoning wife Angela Craig's protein shakes going on trial for murder

Trial Begins for Aurora Dentist James Craig, Accused of Fatally Poisoning Wife via Protein Shakes

DENVER — Just a few days before her untimely death due to…
Missing teen surfer found alive on remote island miles from shore: 'Didn't give up hope'

Teen Surfer Rescued Alive on Remote Island After Being Missing: ‘Never Lost Hope’

A surfer who disappeared after heading into the ocean on Wednesday afternoon…
Amazon logo on a building.

Critical Amazon Recall Alert: Two Household Products Pose Fatal Risks to Children – Customers Advised to Cease Use Immediately

SHOPPERS have been issued a warning about two home items sold on…
Russia gives Rubio a 'new and different approach' as Trump pushes for peace with Ukraine

Russia Presents Rubio with Fresh Perspective amid Trump’s Ukraine Peace Efforts

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Thursday that he and his…
Multiple people struck by lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Several People Injured by Lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Fire rescue crews say one person was flown by helicopter with serious…
Accused killer Vance Boelter hints at motive in Post jailhouse interview

Vance Boelter, accused of murder, suggests motive during jail interview with the Post

The man charged with the politically motivated murder of a Minnesota lawmaker…
Jennifer Aniston gets back massage from Jim Curtis on yacht

Jennifer Aniston Enjoys a Relaxing Yacht Massage from Jim Curtis

That escalated quickly. Jennifer Aniston was recently seen receiving a massage and…
Texas deadly floods: Victims from the Houston area

Houston Area Casualties in Devastating Texas Floods

Early in the morning on July 4, a catastrophic flood in the…
Boeing settles with a man whose family died in a 2019 crash in Ethiopia

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Man After 2019 Ethiopian Crash that Killed His Family

The tragic 2019 crash claimed the lives of all 157 passengers, including…
Portrait of Caroline Dinenage, Britain's culture minister, at the G20 Culture Ministers meeting.

Young people prioritize everyday concerns over trans discussions

YOUNG people are more worried about bread and butter issues than racism…