Several Cook County commissioners used the meeting to report on a recent workplace immigration enforcement operation and to share resources for affected families.

Commissioner Shawn Morrison described receiving notice of a raid at a local business where “as many as potentially 20 to 30 individuals had already been detained and removed from the premises,” and said callers had reported that the people detained held work permits. Morrison called the separations “terrifying” and urged residents to consult county resources. “Every single one of those individuals has a workers permit,” Morrison said.

Commissioner Vasquez described participating in a rapid-response network that documents raids and connects family members to legal resources. She said volunteers provide courtroom advocacy and help connect detained people with attorneys and mutual aid. “That is the way that we are able to connect with attorneys,” Vasquez said, and she urged residents to take deportation-defense trainings so they can safely document and assist.

Morrison gave a hotline number for affected families and community members: (855) 435-7693, which he identified as linked to the coalition he cited. He asked mayors, chambers of commerce and other local leaders to distribute the number and “know your rights” materials in multiple languages.

Why it matters: Elected officials raised immediate community-safety concerns about family separation, communication barriers and the need for legal outreach following enforcement events. They urged training and rapid response to reduce harms and reunite families.

What’s next: Commissioners said rapid-response groups will continue trainings and outreach; Morrison and others urged residents to use the hotline and local legal services to help locate detained loved ones.