NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Park Ridge, Ill, November 10, 2025: An Indian American Illinois road worker was questioned by three masked individuals — initially believed to be federal immigration agents — while on duty at a Park Ridge construction site, prompting Governor J.B. Pritzker to accuse authorities of racial profiling.
According to statements from Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office, the employee — a U.S. citizen — was on duty at the Busse Highway resurfacing project Friday morning when three masked individuals approached him. They allegedly asked whether he had immigration documents, whether he had traveled to New York recently, and if he was aware of Zohran Mamdani’s recent election as mayor of New York City.
The men left the site after the brief exchange. The worker was not detained, but the nature of the questioning prompted immediate scrutiny from state officials.
In a sharply worded statement, Governor Pritzker condemned the incident, calling it an example of authorities targeting an American citizen “apparently on the basis of their skin color.”
“I am appalled they would stop and question a state employee working hard on the job to help improve our state’s roads and infrastructure,” Pritzker said. “Our state employees should be able to go to work and do their jobs without masked agents targeting them for no legitimate reason.”
The encounter also raised questions about who the individuals represented. While reports initially suggested they may have been federal immigration officers, the Department of Homeland Security has denied that the agents were affiliated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The uncertainty has prompted calls for clarification on what authority — if any — the masked individuals had to stop a state worker on duty. Some local schools near the Park Ridge work zone were briefly instructed to keep students and staff indoors after reports of federal agents in the area, according to local news coverage.
Beyond concerns about worker safety, the unusual question about Mamdani — who is set to become New York City’s next mayor — has drawn attention for its political implications. Officials have not indicated any known link between the Chicago-area worksite and the incoming New York administration.
State authorities have not released the name of the IDOT employee, and the worker has not made a public statement. It remains unclear whether any investigation has been launched into the identity or motives of the masked individuals.
Pritzker’s office said the state is continuing to gather information.
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