A woman who steered her car into a crowd of people protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies in the Loop earlier this year has been sentenced to “second chance probation,” according to court records.
Judge Peggy Chiampas imposed the sentence after Deidre Kemp, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm last week.
Prosecutors said Chicago police had already cordoned off much of the Loop for the anti-Trump demonstration when Kemp ignored officers’ verbal and physical attempts to redirect her. With her children in the car, she drove her 2003 Kia Spectra into the crowd near State Street and Monroe Street while shouting obscenities at officers, who chased her on foot.
A police sergeant tried to stop her by grabbing the steering wheel, but Kemp swerved. The sergeant lost his balance and crashed into 66-year-old Heather Blair, who suffered a broken arm along with bruises and scratches, according to prosecutors.
A CPD helicopter and a TV news chopper followed Kemp’s fleeing vehicle for several minutes, gathering “electronic evidence” that helped identify her.
During the protest against ICE in Downtown Chicago earlier today, a vehicle was caught on video nearly striking multiple pedestrians and a cyclist. Protesters can be seen briefly pursuing and hitting the car before it sped away from the scene without stopping. #chicago… pic.twitter.com/UcJe4xDPEm
— CHICAGO CRITTER (@ChicagoCritter) June 11, 2025
At the time of the Loop incident, prosecutors said Kemp was already on bail in Will County for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident. She was never accused of intentionally trying to hit anyone at the protest.
Along with probation, Chiampas ordered Kemp to complete 100 hours of community service. If she complies with all conditions, the charge will be dismissed, giving her a chance to move forward with a clean record.
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