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Lake Bluff trustees direct staff to draft ordinance and hold workshop on protections for residents affected by ICE actions
Summary
Board members asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance and schedule a workshop after hearing from trustees and community members about recent ICE detentions affecting Lake Bluff families; staff will research legal scope and coordinate with other local bodies.
The Village President told the board on Oct. 27 that the village had received letters and calls about recent ICE actions affecting local families and reported that nearby North Chicago’s mayor had issued an executive order on the topic. The president presented options — do nothing, adopt a proclamation or prepare an ordinance — and asked trustees for guidance.
Trustees and staff discussed limits on local authority, possible legal exposure, and practical tools the village could deploy. One trustee said the state law constrains police participation in immigration enforcement, noting “there’s already regulations for the police when it comes to this.” Another trustee urged the village to consider “proclamations of support” and the range of actions other municipalities have taken, including signage and resource guidance.
The board directed staff to draft an ordinance for consideration at a future meeting and to convene a workshop that will include discussion of the village’s special events policy, signage and coordination with other local public bodies (park district, school district, library). Staff and the village attorney agreed to compile examples from other municipalities and to summarize the legal scope of options under state and federal law.
No ordinance text was adopted at the Oct. 27 meeting. Trustees emphasized they wanted a practical plan that would help affected residents while being mindful of legal limits and possible repercussions.
