Wheeling residents press village for response after reported ICE activity; police say they did not assist agents

Dozens of Wheeling residents told the Village Board on Oct. 20 they are living in fear after recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity reported in town, and asked village leaders to take steps such as posting resources and creating “safe zones.” Village officials said they lack authority to stop federal agents but pledged to meet with community representatives and to coordinate what local resources they can offer.

The public comments began with Francisco Ruiz, a Wheeling property owner, who urged the village to “consider signing an executive order just like the one that Brandon Johnson, mayor of the city of Chicago, signed this past October 6,” which restricts use of city‑owned property for federal immigration operations and offers a voluntary signage program for private property owners. Ruiz noted Census estimates showing Wheeling’s population is majority nonwhite and said that, “that is why they are targeting city like ours.”

Veronica Roman, owner of Veronica Roman State Farm, described residents’ fear of sending children to school or going to work and asked the board, “What are we going to do to keep our community safe?” She urged the village to hold follow‑up community meetings and to involve residents most affected in planning responses.

Several other residents, including Claudia Fonseca, Armando Gutierrez and Marcela Lopez, recounted local sightings and social‑media reports they said have circulated among families and students. Marcela Lopez said she saw “border patrol agents… taking our people without warrants, terrorizing our community,” and asked what support the village will provide.

In response, President Hawker said the situation warranted more than routine acknowledgement and asked for a designated spokesperson so staff and police could follow up. Hawker told the crowd, “We will call you and set up a meeting that will include the police department.”

Chief Murphy of the Wheeling Police Department told the board and speakers that federal immigration agents were seen at the department only to use public facilities. “ICE was seen at the Wheeling Police Department. They were there to use the facilities. They used the bathroom in the front lobby. And that was all that they did,” Murphy said, adding that the department did not assist ICE and that local police do not enforce federal immigration law.

Village staff and several speakers said the fastest notifications about federal activity often come through neighborhood social networks and high‑school students’ social media. Hawker and Chief Murphy encouraged residents to share contact information and agreed to follow up. The president said staff would call the meeting organizer the next day to arrange a session with police and village staff.

Residents also asked the village to post immigrant resources on its website and to partner with organizations that provide legal aid, language support and “know your rights” materials. Jennifer Abonse El Cantar and others suggested the village link to organizations such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and North Suburban Legal Aid, which they said already partner with nearby municipalities.

The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the meeting. Instead, the gathering ended with an agreement to continue the discussion at a follow‑up meeting and to provide residents with contact information for village staff and police.

The public comment period lasted more than an hour and drew a large turnout of residents, several of whom said they will continue to attend board meetings to press for resources and engagement.