Federal law enforcement officials said on July 2 that 179 people were charged in 140 new cases in the Chicago and Rockford areas of Illinois.
The cases were part of the results of a 60-day project called Operation New Dawn, said Andrew S. Boutros, United States attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert Cekada, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), said at a press conference.
Boutros also accused local media and Cook County judges of contributing to the violent crime problem in northern Illinois.
Operation New Dawn’s main objective was to address violent crime. Boutros said the operation netted 305 fugitives, rescued 24 children, some of whom were kidnap victims, and hauled in a significant amount of illegal drugs and guns….