‘Operation Midway Blitz' advisory question featured on Chicago ballots

’ That federal immigration enforcement operation, which took place in the late summer and early fall of 2025, made national headlines both for its scope and for clashes that took place between federal agents and protesters, but now Chicago voters are being asked whether the city should pursue financial compensation for losses sustained by residents and businesses during that operation. Here is the language of the advisory question: “Shall the city of Chicago pursue all lawful means to recover financial compensation from the federal government for the costs and economic harm caused by the Donald Trump administration’s violent, militarized ICE operations, including the Midway Blitz operation led by Greg Bovino, to recover lost tax revenue, public safety response costs, and services provided to residents and families affected by those operations?” While it’s unclear what legal avenues the city would use, and the ballot question is non-binding, recent studies have shown a staggering cost to area businesses in the wake of the operation. According to a study conducted by the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Great Cities Institute, businesses and retail shops in the Chicago area saw $1.26 billion in foregone spending over the first year of heightened immigration enforcement in the region. There was also approximately $107 million in foregone local sales-tax revenue according to the study. The study found that residents of neighborhoods with “relatively high shares of Latin America-born residents” reduced trips to retail stores and restaurants in parts of Cook County because of the operations. Federal documents indicate more than 4,000 people were taken into custody during ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ in 2025, according to NBC News reporting. Chicago voters will also face questions on whether the city should restart its use of gunshot detection technology, which Mayor Brandon Johnson spearheaded an effort to end in 2024. Voters will also be asked whether the city should develop a permanent festival and outdoor event space for larger-scale events, with some city leaders expressing concern over disruptions caused by events like Lollapalooza and Riotfest. All three questions are non-binding.