Alderman urges Elmhurst to consider local protections after immigration‑enforcement incidents
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Summary
Alderman Nardini described recent incidents affecting students and an Elmhurst business and asked the council to explore a resolution or ordinance expanding protections beyond the Illinois Trust Act; he said action would largely be symbolic but necessary to reassure residents. No formal action was requested at the meeting.
Alderman Nardini urged the Elmhurst City Council on Nov. 3 to explore local measures to reassure residents after reported immigration‑enforcement incidents affecting nearby students and a local business.
Nardini recounted incidents he described as Elmhurst‑adjacent: York Community High School students who were approached and threatened while in a Lombard parking lot, and parents targeted near the Elm Court Apartments in Bensenville. He also said a local Elmhurst business closed after an immigration check involving a family member; Nardini said he raised the matter to highlight community fear and the need for elected leaders to respond.
“Nobody should feel like unidentified masked men pulling people out of cars has ever been on the right side of American history,” Nardini said, urging the council to “lead” rather than “do nothing.” He called for colleagues to consider drafting a resolution or ordinance that could expand protections beyond the Illinois Trust Act, noting that such measures may be largely symbolic because federal authorities with warrants could still operate in the city.
Mayor Lehi asked whether Nardini sought action that night; Nardini replied he was not requesting immediate action, but said he planned to lobby fellow aldermen to draft and explore possible options in the coming days and weeks.
The council did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting. Nardini said the intent is to reassure residents and to clarify local limits and protections where permitted under state and federal law.