Gov. JB Pritzker speaks, backed up by several people from Chicago about what they see as abuses by federal agents during a press conference at the Illinois state Capitol Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at the Illinois state Capitol Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD − Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is asking the federal government to give children and families "a break" and pause federal operations over Halloween weekend.

Speaking from Springfield, the state capital, Pritzker said on Oct. 30 that he sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and DHS leadership, asking them to pause all of their federal agent operations for the entirety of the Halloween weekend.

"I think their response will be revealing," Pritzker said. "They’ve disrupted everything for more than two months already. Give the children and the families of Illinois a break."

Addressing President Donald Trump and Noem in a press conference, the governor challenged the two to "show us this is about something other than you just causing mayhem on our streets and visiting cruelty upon our people.

And after Halloween, if you want to actually go after the worst of the worst -- work with our local law enforcement to help us go after violent criminals. Instead, you are targeting innocent children and families, Black and brown people, U.S. citizens, hardworking parents. In essence, you are targeting all of us."

Pritzker's request follows recent changes to DHS guidance that now allows for federal agents to enter churches and schools, the governor highlighted.

Among those who spoke along Pritzker on Oct. 30 was the principal of an elementary school in Elgin. Noe Velazquez, who is principal at Lords Park Elementary School talked about how recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and local raids have impacted "many in our school and community," adding that fear, uncertainty, and anxiety are spilling into the classroom.

"Our schools are a reflection of the community, and when our community is hurting, our school hurts as well, "Velazquez said.

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois Gov. Pritzker asks Trump administration to give families 'a break' over Halloween

Reporting by Tom Ackerman, USA TODAY NETWORK / State Journal-Register

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