Pritzker’s office ‘extremely troubled’ by photo with suspect
‘peacekeeper’
[September 19, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Officials from the governor’s office say they were
“extremely troubled” to learn that a man that Gov. J.B. Pritzker was
pictured with was charged with murder.
CWB Chicago reported that Kellen McMiller is a suspect in last week’s
deadly smash-and-grab burglary on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and faces
murder charges. Before the crime, McMiller was pictured with Gov. J.B.
Pritzker at an event promoting so-called “peacekeepers,” groups paid by
tax dollars to help intervene in crime.
Pritzker’s office said while they are troubled the man in the picture is
allegedly involved in a serious crime, they expect the person to be held
accountable.
“The Governor meets hundreds of people in communities every week and is
often asked to take photos,” a spokesperson for the governor told The
Center Square. “We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual
was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we
expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Pritzker’s office said the governor will continue to work at fighting
crime.
“The Governor will keep doing everything in his power to fight crime,
keep our neighborhoods safe, and support community violence
intervention, which have been proven to work,” the statement said. “For
example, the Peacekeepers Program has a strong track record reducing
violent crime by 41% over the past two years and providing community
members with a path towards rehabilitation.”
Critics are skeptical that such “peacekeeper” programs work.
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Image released by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office on Sept. 5,
2025 with the following caption: Gov. Pritzker listens to a
presentation alongside a Peacekeeper at Public Equity.
Office of the Governor
Retired Riverside, Illinois, Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said many
so-called “peacekeepers” have criminal backgrounds.
“When you see these individuals being arrested by [Chicago police]
and they’re also participating in violent crimes, I mean, what does
that say?” Weitzel asked.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said peacekeepers play a role.
“I don’t shut the door on people who have had transgressions in the
past, I say that we have to be very selective,” Ford told The Center
Square.
Two other anti-violence workers have also recently made news for
alleged criminal actions.
Ford defended using tax dollars for so-called “peacekeeper” groups,
but said there’s room for improvement.
“We should fine tune the efforts and make sure that we spend the
money in areas where we know the violence is high,” Ford said.
Pritzker’s office said the Illinois Office of Firearm Violence
Prevention has spent more than $375 million to reduce violence and
support community violence intervention programs.
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