A Chicago alderman says someone set off a bomb outside his home early Saturday, shattering a window as his three children were sleeping. But police dispatch records show CPD was not sent to any calls of an explosion at the time of the blast and an initial police investigation later on Saturday morning found the object appeared to be a firework.
Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward) says the blast happened around 12:45 a.m. near his home in the 1900 block of West 21st Street. He posted a video Saturday evening that appears to show a large firework detonating at a street corner. Glass is heard shattering, and a vehicle horn is triggered by the explosion.
“A bomb was ignited, detonated, and shattered a window” at Sigcho Lopez’s home “while his three children slept inside,” a statement by the alderman’s office said.
The statement said additional video “shows two men in an SUV, one of whom stepped out and lit the explosive device directly in front of the Alderman’s home and immediately got back in the car to drive away.”
Chicago police said in a statement that “an unknown male offender placed a suspected firework in the street and ignited it,” damaging a window of a nearby residence. No injuries were reported. In keeping with standard policy, CPD did not identify Sigcho Lopez as the victim.
CPD dispatch records reviewed by CWB Chicago show no officers were dispatched to handle anything related to the incident around the time Sigcho Lopez says it occurred. There were no cars sent to handle reports of fireworks, breaking glass, or a bomb going off. It appears police first learned about the incident around 9:41 a.m. Saturday, when a high-ranking member of the Near West (12th) District command staff received a call and dispatched a sergeant to the alderman’s home. An evidence technician was also sent to photograph the broken window and glass on the floor.
A retired bomb investigation specialist told CWB Chicago that targeted incidents involving family homes or businesses would typically involve throwing incendiary devices or explosives into the structure, onto a porch, or into a garage so the message is clearly delivered.
A spokesperson for the alderman’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment and additional details about why Sigcho Lopez believes the object was a bomb.
Dion McGill, a Police District Councilor for the Englewood (7th) District, called the incident a political bombing on Facebook and issued a lengthy statement condemning it.
“I strongly condemn the bombing that occurred outside Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez’s home early this morning,” McGill wrote. “Regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or disagreements over policy, there is absolutely no place for this kind of violence in our city. Reports indicate that Alderman Sigcho Lopez’s three children were inside the home at the time. That fact alone should give all of us pause.”
McGill said public safety means people should be able to live in their homes free from violence, intimidation, and fear — a principle he argued applies to elected officials and their families as much as anyone else.
“Acts like this do more than threaten an individual family. They undermine democratic participation by suggesting that political disagreements should be resolved through fear rather than dialogue, organizing, advocacy, and elections,” he wrote.
McGill said he has witnessed behavior falling short of democratic ideals throughout his time in Chicago politics, including during his own campaign for District Council.
“Threats, intimidation, harassment, and the dehumanization of those with whom we disagree have become too common,” he wrote. “During my own campaign for District Council, I experienced some of this firsthand, and I know I am far from alone.”
“We must be willing to call this behavior out, root it out, and refuse to make excuses for it simply because it is directed at someone we oppose politically,” McGill wrote. “Those who condone political violence, or openly encourage it, have no place at the table. We cannot build safer communities while tolerating a culture that treats intimidation as acceptable civic engagement.”
When asked whether he had any evidence that the incident was a targeted attack rather than someone setting off a firework on a corner, McGill said he based his characterization on information Sigcho Lopez shared.
“Given the reported history of threats and attacks directed at the Alderman’s office, I don’t think that is an unreasonable concern for them to raise,” McGill said.
“If investigators determine this was something else entirely, then that is important information the public deserves to know as well,” McGill said. “Until then, I think it is appropriate to take this incident seriously, avoid speculation, and extend compassion to a family that experienced a frightening event at their home.”
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