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
Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California dies, reducing GOP’s narrow control of the House to 218-213

California Representative Doug LaMalfa Passes Away, Narrowing GOP’s House Majority to 218-213

WASHINGTON (AP) — California Republican Doug LaMalfa, a longstanding U.S. Representative with…
Man killed by Jacksonville police during domestic dispute investigation near Bartram Park

Jacksonville Police Involved in Fatal Incident During Bartram Park Domestic Dispute Investigation

A tense situation unfolded Monday night in Jacksonville, Florida, resulting in a…
Danish prime minister says a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO

Danish Prime Minister Warns U.S. Acquisition of Greenland Could Signal NATO’s Demise

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a strong warning on Monday, stating…
Who’s who in Maduro case: The judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers now facing off

Key Players in the Maduro Case: The Judge, Prosecutors, and Defense Attorneys Engaged in Legal Battle

Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of Venezuela known for his far-left policies,…
Asking Eric: Siblings stage hearing aid ‘intervention’

Siblings Conduct Intervention to Address Eric’s Hearing Aid Needs

Dear Eric: I’m 60 and have been dealing with hearing loss since…
Father arrested on drug, weapons charges as 4-year-old son found dead after New Year's disappearance

Father Faces Drug and Weapons Charges Following Tragic Discovery of Missing 4-Year-Old Son

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In a tragic turn of events, the father of…
Nick Reiner no longer on suicide watch ahead of arraignment: report

Nick Reiner Removed from Suicide Watch as Court Hearing Approaches: Latest Update

Nick Reiner is reportedly no longer under suicide watch as he prepares…
Brown University shooter confessed in videos to planning attack for long time, showed no remorse: DOJ

Brown University Shooting Suspect Admits to Long-Term Attack Plans, Lacks Remorse: DOJ Reports

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors unveiled transcripts of brief video recordings allegedly made…
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine jokes about hanging with Maduro, Mangione behind bars

Tekashi 6ix9ine Sparks Controversy with Humorous Remarks on Time Spent with Maduro and Mangione in Jail

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine will be serving three months in the same Brooklyn jail…
Family seeking 2nd autopsy after Bulgarian Chicago business owner Nenko Gantchev dies in ICE custody

Family Requests Second Autopsy Following Death of Bulgarian Business Owner Nenko Gantchev While in ICE Custody

The family of a Chicago entrepreneur, who tragically passed away while under…
Seattle leaders slammed for police order to stop prosecuting drug users

Seattle Leadership Criticized for Decision to Halt Prosecution of Drug Users

Seattle’s mayor is under increased scrutiny regarding her public safety strategy following…
After Maduro, Venezuela power vacuum exposes brutal insiders and enforcers

Power Struggle Unfolds in Venezuela as Maduro’s Exit Reveals Ruthless Insiders

As Venezuela transitions away from the leadership of Nicolas Maduro, experts and…