The Forbidden Op-Ed By Chief Weitzel
- Chief Tom Weitzel. Retired
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
"The Chicago Sun-Times Is Fueling A Toxic Media Climate"
Retired 37-year police veteran Chief Tom Weitzel reads aloud his powerful op-ed.
The one the Chicago Sun Times refused to publish.
He directly calls on Editor-in-Chief Kimbriell Kelly to shut down their ICE tracking portal, which endangers police & our communities. Exclusively available at Awake Illinois.
Let Kimbriell Kelly know that you support Chief Tom Weitzel's op-ed and that
The Chicago Sun-Times should remove it's ICE portal.
EMAIL kkelly@chicagopublicmedia.org with a respectful petition of support for ICE and fair journalism.
“The Chicago Sun-Times Is Fueling a Toxic Media Climate”
It’s a troubling moment for American journalism. I recently reached out to Kimbriell Kelly, Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ radio, to express my deep concern. As many know, these two outlets are connected, which makes this issue all the more significant.
I was alarmed to learn that the Chicago Sun-Times has encouraged citizens to use a portal to upload photos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations—photos that the paper’s journalists may use in their reporting, and which could lead reporters to respond directly to those scenes for further investigation.
While public engagement is essential, this kind of tool risks escalating tensions and endangering ICE officers, who serve as federal law enforcement with full policing authority. The Department of Homeland Security reports a disturbing rise—over 500%—in assaults against ICE agents nationwide.
Recently, one agent suffered serious injuries in Franklin Park, Illinois, after being hit by a fleeing vehicle. Similar attacks have occurred in San Francisco, Texas, and other parts of the country.
The rhetoric and tools promoted by the Sun-Times contribute to a hostile environment that can lead to real violence. There is a troubling connection between this kind of public exposure and the increasing risks faced by law enforcement officers every day. Just last week, a nationally broadcast award show featured criticism of ICE, further fueling an atmosphere of hostility.
It’s critical to remember that ICE operations in Illinois generally do not involve local police unless agents face direct attacks. Local officers, who may be your neighbors or community members, often step in to assist federal agents—and they too face danger. The violent attack on an ICE facility in McAllen, Texas, where the assailant traveled from Michigan, underscores the gravity of the current threats.
Tensions across the country are high. Although anti-police sentiment waned briefly after George Floyd’s death, recent media and celebrity rhetoric are reigniting hostility toward law enforcement. This endangers both federal officers and the local police who work alongside them.
Kimbriell Kelly, I urge you to remove the mapping tool and reconsider the implications of encouraging such public tracking. Responsible journalism must balance transparency with public safety – this is not it!
Tom Weitzel retired From Riverside Police Department in May 2021 after 37 years in law enforcement, including 13 years as Chief of Police. Opinions expressed here are his own. Contact: tqweitzel@outlook.com. Follow on X @chiefweitzel.
