But there are questions about whether such an order could actually be carried out.
A former Chicago Police Department chief of detectives weighed in Monday on Mayor Johnson's weekend executive order directing police to investigate immigration agents who are accused of possible misconduct.
A handshake between Border Patrol's Greg Bovino and a Chicago police sergeant during "Operation Midway Blitz" last fall was caught on camera.
While Chicago's Sanctuary City status does not allow police to help federal immigration agents with enforcement, the relationship between federal agents and local police has remained somewhat cordial, despite some questionable tactics that have left some officers dealing with pepper spray.
"We need to be working with the federal government. We cannot be at odds with the federal government; it serves no one's best interest," said Eugene Roy, former CPD chief of detectives.
Roy strongly disagrees with tactics used by Bovino and his border patrol agents, but does not believe officers should investigate federal agents during ongoing federal immigration operations.
"The Chicago Police Department should not be put in a position where they are investigating federal agents who are investigating federal crimes, which is clearly a federal jurisdiction. It serves no useful purpose," Roy said.
Roy calls Mayor Brandon's Johnson's executive order directing police to investigate federal agents for possible misconduct nothing more than political theater. Johnson says the agents must be held accountable.
"It will give a directive from my office to ensure that we are collecting evidence, we're providing medical care on scene, but also making sure the evidence is turned over for prosecution," Johnson said.
The mayor's decree, called the "ICE on Notice," order says any felony charges against agents recommended by police must go through his office.
In a written statement released Monday, the Cook County State's Attorney Office said in part, "Because this order changes the process for how felony charges are evaluated, a thorough analysis is being conducted to assess its legality."
In all felony cases, it is the state's attorney's office that evaluates the evidence and makes the charging decision.
And legal experts say local police already have the ability to collect evidence.
"An executive order is not necessary to authorize local police officials to investigate state crimes, even if those crimes are committed by federal agents," ABC7 Chicago legal analyst Gil Soffer said.
While the mayor warns of a possible immigration enforcement surge in the spring, he says his executive order also applies to past cases during "Operation Midway Blitz" last fall.