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
Road rage shooting leaves man dead in Jacksonville's Sandalwood area, JSO says

Fatal Road Rage Incident Claims Life in Jacksonville’s Sandalwood Neighborhood, Reports JSO

In a tragic turn of events in Jacksonville’s Sandalwood area, a man…
House passes defense bill to raise troop pay and overhaul weapons purchases

Congress Approves Defense Bill Boosting Troop Salaries and Modernizing Arms Procurement

WASHINGTON — In a significant move, the House approved a comprehensive defense…
Invasive pest never before seen in North America threatens Texas food supply, officials warn

Newly Discovered Pest Poses Risk to Texas Crops, Experts Alert

Texas agriculture authorities have issued an urgent alert following the swift spread…
Homer Glen home invasion: Woman, 73, held at gunpoint, robbed at home in 16800-block of S. Deer Path, Will Co. sheriff says

Shocking Home Invasion in Homer Glen: 73-Year-Old Woman Held at Gunpoint in 16800-block Robbery

A 73-year-old woman from Homer Glen, Illinois, experienced a terrifying ordeal when…
California woman gives birth inside self-driving Waymo taxi

California Mom Welcomes Baby in Self-Driving Waymo Taxi Ride

In a remarkable turn of events this week, a pregnant woman in…
Kenosha gunman Kyle Rittenhouse is married, teases more news to come

Kyle Rittenhouse Announces Marriage and Hints at Upcoming News: Latest Updates

After a notable absence, Kyle Rittenhouse resurfaced on social media this week…
Home Depot theft ring busted in Queens after stealing $2.2 million

Queens Authorities Dismantle $2.2 Million Home Depot Theft Ring in Major Bust

The Queens District Attorney’s Office announced a significant breakthrough on Thursday, revealing…
Alleged gang hit man captured after yearslong manhunt for 3 separate murders in Philadelphia: 'The very worst'

Philadelphia Manhunt Ends with Arrest of Suspected Gang Hitman Linked to Trio of Murders

A 25-year-old man from Philadelphia, accused of serving as a hitman for…
Twice-deported Honduran accused of stabbing passenger on Charlotte light rail faces federal charges

Twice-Deported Honduran Faces Federal Charges in Shocking Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing Incident

A Honduran man, who had been deported twice, now faces federal charges…
Sabu has died: WWE star was 60

Beloved ‘Jimmy Neutron’ Voice Actor Jeff Garcia Passes Away

Renowned for bringing the energetic character of Sheen Estevez to life in…
Fired Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore spent night in county jail after being detained amid staffer investigation

Ex-Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Jailed Overnight Amid Ongoing Staff Investigation

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, the fallout continues after the dismissal of former…
Congressman Thomas Massie standing thoughtfully in front of the U.S. Capitol building, with a blue-toned, halftone filter evoking a dramatic, cinematic style.

Massie Law Sparks Release of Epstein Grand Jury Records: A Landmark Legal Development

A legislative push led by Rep. Thomas Massie, to force transparency in…