Hanover Park trustees voted Thursday to direct village staff to prepare an ordinance or resolution that would limit use of village‑owned property by federal immigration enforcement agencies and return the draft for review on Nov. 6, 2025.

The move followed more than an hour of public comment and trustee discussion after recent immigration enforcement activity drew attention locally and nationally. Village President Rodney S. Craig told the board the village and police department had conducted due diligence in the hiring of a police officer who was later arrested, saying, "I can tell you with the most utmost confidence that it was appropriate." Several residents and former officials urged more protective action for residents and for limits on federal agents' activity on municipal property.

Why it matters: speakers and trustees said recent enforcement activity is eroding trust between parts of the community and local law enforcement and is deterring people from calling police or accessing municipal services. Trustees and residents asked the village to use its legal authority where possible to protect public safety and the community's trust.

Trustees discussed elements they want the draft ordinance or resolution to include based on model language from another suburb: a prohibition on using village parking lots as staging areas, processing locations or bases of operation for federal immigration enforcement; signage on village properties stating those properties are not to be used for immigration enforcement; downloadable signs for private businesses; and a staff communication protocol so the village can document and respond when agents are observed on municipal property. Multiple speakers also urged language to prevent weapon staging and loading or unloading of firearms on village lots.

Public commenters included former Trustee Charmaine Shajahan, who urged action beyond nonbinding words; local residents who described fear and distrust following recent arrests; and a social services staff member who said, "In the last 3 months, we have 13 verified ICE reports," a figure the board discussed as part of the urgency to act. Commissioner Ada Coral Sepulveda, speaking as a longtime Hanover Park official and resident, called for the board to read the village's commitment to local authority on the record.

Administration and police response: village staff and the police chief told trustees that staff had observed agents near municipal properties on at least two occasions and had instructed supervisors to ask those agents to leave when observed. Chief of Police Andy Johnson (as identified earlier in the meeting) and village staff said they would continue to document incidents and that the trust policies already cover the police department parking lot but do not address other village‑owned sites.

Formal actions taken: the board unanimously approved a motion to formalize drafting both an ordinance and/or resolution restricting federal immigration enforcement use of village property and directed staff to prepare language for board review by the Nov. 6 packet. Separately, the board passed a nonbinding resolution urging the Illinois Congressional delegation and the Illinois General Assembly to prohibit federal law enforcement agents from concealing their identities while operating in the state.

Next steps: trustees asked the village attorney and administration to research enforceability, especially where federal grants or property restrictions may apply (for example, certain transit or grant‑acquired parcels), and to return an ordinance or strong resolution for the Nov. 6 meeting. Trustees repeatedly emphasized urgency; staff said they would make every effort to meet the packet deadline.

Votes at the meeting: the motion directing staff to draft the ordinance/resolution and the nonbinding resolution urging state and federal action were approved by roll call during the meeting. The board directed staff to include the items discussed — signage, communication protocol, and prohibitions on staging and weapons handling — in the draft.

Ending note: trustees and multiple public speakers framed the action as a step to protect community trust and safety while acknowledging legal limits in regulating federal agents. Trustees said they expect more detailed legal guidance in the draft ordinance or resolution returned to the board.