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Skokie board votes to codify police guidance supporting village’s 2017 welcoming ordinance
Summary
Trustees voted to explicitly incorporate the police chief’s 2025 guidance on immigration‑related interactions — including non‑compliance with ICE administrative detainers without a criminal warrant — into the village’s existing Chapter 58 welcoming ordinance and to continue working with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Trustees unanimously approved a motion to make explicit, within the village’s ordinance, police guidance that limits local law-enforcement involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement and reaffirms the village’s longstanding policies to offer services regardless of immigration status.
The board considered a motion, introduced by Trustee (name not specified in transcript), to state explicitly that the police chief’s 2025 guidance regarding immigration enforcement is supported by and incorporated into Section 58‑8 of the Skokie Village Code. The motion, seconded by Trustee Robinson, passed by roll call.
Town staff and the mayor reviewed the chief’s guidance, which the transcript summarized as prohibiting compliance with immigration detainers or administrative warrants without a criminal warrant, not sharing custody‑or‑release information for immigration enforcement, ensuring consular notification within 48 hours for foreign nationals in custody, and timely handling of U‑ and T‑visa certifications for qualifying crime victims.
Village officials said the ordinance and the police guidance aim to strengthen trust with immigrant communities, encourage reporting of crimes and protect victims, and prevent local officers’ involvement in purely civil immigration enforcement. The board also directed continued collaboration with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to identify any gaps and consider further codification of best practices.
During public comment, speakers urged the board to adopt model language recommended by community advocates and asked the village to provide translated "know your rights" information and resource links. One resident asked staff to publish the police chief’s guidance publicly; trustees said the guidance is available and reiterated plans to codify it into village law.
A roll call to adopt the motion recorded ayes from Trustee Setker, Trustee Robinson, Trustee (name not specified in transcript), Trustee Johnson, Trustee Klein and Mayor George Van Dusen. The motion passed.
The board requested staff continue to refine proposed ordinance language and work with community partners on outreach, including rapid‑response resources and referral links to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
