FBI Director Wray Visits Springfield Field Office

On August 8, 2023, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited the Springfield Field Office, where he met with law enforcement partners representing local, state, and federal agencies to affirm the FBI’s continued commitment to help combat violent crime in the area and the value of joint task forces in that effort. During his field office visit, Director Wray also met with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. Director Wray and Sen. Durbin discussed the FBI’s work to stem crime in Illinois, as well as the importance of reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to protect Americans and the homeland from hostile foreign nations and malicious cyber actors.

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide an important briefing to Sen. Durbin on the value of Section 702 authorities to the FBI’s critical national security work and the great work being done using these authorities by those investigating national security matters in our Springfield and Chicago field offices,” Director Wray said. “At my direction, we have undertaken foundational reforms to improve our compliance surrounding these authorities, and the FBI will continue our efforts of being good stewards of our Section 702 authorities. It is crucial that this indispensable national security tool is reauthorized, and we look forward to working with Congress to improve this authority while maintaining its effectiveness in order for the FBI to continue to protect Americans and the homeland from foreign threats."

FBI Director Christopher Wray met with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois during his August 8, 2023, visit to the FBI Springfield Field Office.

During his meeting with law enforcement partners, Director Wray discussed the challenges of addressing the rising epidemic of violent crime, not only in the Springfield area, but across the country. “It will take all of us working together—with all our collective strengths, authorities, and expertise—to stay ahead of the criminals and protect the public,” Director Wray said. “To do that requires constant collaboration, and I’m confident that’s happening here in Springfield and across the board.”

Director Wray noted that law enforcement task forces in the Springfield area focused on transnational criminal organizations, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, have had successes in combating the scourge of drugs and violence plaguing the community. The results of these partnerships include seizing more than 100 kilos of narcotics, keeping deadly drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine off the community’s streets. The task forces’ work to dismantle the infrastructure the cartels use also led to the guilty pleas of three individuals—including two who had exploited their employment at a commercial shipping company in the U.S. to facilitate illegal narcotics shipments across the country.

FBI Director Christopher Wray met with state, local, and federal law enforcement personnel during his August 8, 2023, visit to the FBI Springfield Field Office.

Director Wray also expressed his gratitude to law enforcement partners for their dedication to public service. “Working in law enforcement isn’t easy these days, and we appreciate the sacrifices you’ve made—and continue to make—to protect your fellow Americans,” Director Wray told the group. “We’re proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all our law enforcement partners here in Illinois."

Also during his visit to the Springfield Field Office, Director Wray received case briefings and presented performance awards to employees.

Director Wray makes regular visits to the FBI’s 56 field offices and legal attachés to meet with employees and get briefed on local issues and crime trends, as well as to collaborate with partners.

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