Judicial Watch Sues Illinois Gov. Pritzker for Records on Photo with ‘Peacekeeper’ Tied to Murder Charge

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today it filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) for records regarding a September 2025 “Peacekeeper” event at which Pritzker was photographed with anti-violence employee Kellen McMiller, who days later was arrested and charged with first-degree murder (Judicial Watch Inc. v. Office of the Governor (No. 2026CH000004)). 

Pritzker was photographed with McMiller, a paid employee of the state-funded “Peacekeeper” program, at the September 5, 2025, event in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. On September 18, McMiller was arrested on first-degree murder charges arising from a September 11 “smash-and-grab” robbery at a Michigan Avenue Louis Vuitton store in Chicago that left one person dead.

Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division after Pritzker’s office failed to adequately respond to a September 22, 2025, FOIA request for: 

All photographs, images, or visual media depicting Governor JB Pritzker and Kellen McMiller (or any individual identified as a participant in the peacekeeper program wearing a “peacekeeper” vest) taken during the Governor’s visits to Chicago on or around September 5, 2025, including but not limited to the event in Englewood focused on community violence intervention.

The original and any edited versions of the press release or newsroom posting from September 3-5, 2025, titled or related to “Gov. Pritzker Meets with Community Violence Intervention Partners” or similar, including metadata showing edits, removals, or additions.

Communications (including emails, memos, text messages, notes, or logs) regarding the decision to include, remove, or edit the photo of Governor Pritzker and Kellen McMiller from any official state website, press release, or social media. This includes communications involving the Governor, his staff, and communications team, or legal advisors.

Any background checks, vetting documents, participant lists, or selection criteria records related to Kellen McMiller’s involvement in the peacekeeper program or the September 5, 2025, event, including any knowledge of his criminal history, warrants, or prior interactions with state officials.

All records of communications or interactions between Governor JB Pritzker (or his office) and Kellen McMiller, including invitations to events, follow-ups, or any other contacts before or after September 5, 2025.

Any reports, evaluations, or data on the peacekeeper program’s participant vetting processes, including background or other checks.

At the time of the photo with Pritzker, McMiller had four warrants out for his arrest, including in Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

After meeting with McMiller and other “Peacekeepers,” Pritzker wrote in a Facebook post, “It’s folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention, not troops on the ground to undermine efforts fighting crime.” 

Pritzker’s office featured the photo with McMiller in a press release after the governor’s visit but later removed the photo.

“The ‘Peacekeeper’ photographed with Governor Pritzker had four active arrest warrants at the time,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Illinois taxpayers deserve transparency on how participants in state-funded anti-violence programs are vetted. The state should prioritize rigorous screening over partisan criticism of federal crime-fighting efforts.”

Christine Svenson of Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman, LLC is assisting Judicial Watch in this case.

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