Highland Park residents press council for stronger limits on federal immigration enforcement; mayor cites Illinois Trust Act
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Summary
Public commenters urged Highland Park to take stronger action to limit ICE activity; Mayor Rotering outlined existing city protections under the Illinois Trust Act, city resources and outreach, and pledged continued engagement with legal and community partners.
A wave of public comments on Nov. 10 pressed the Highland Park City Council to move beyond statements and adopt stronger measures to limit federal immigration enforcement activity in the city.
At the start of the public-comment period, resident Ken Temkin said he was disappointed the city's response so far had been “tepid” and called on the council to ‘‘join hands with our neighboring Chicago and communities and learn from what they're doing and implement by whatever means a solid condemnation of DHS ICE and a menu of actions to limit DHS ICE activity in our community.’’ Several other speakers, including Janet Garcia and Mark Yulhuli, urged formal steps such as public documentation of federal encounters, rapid notification systems, and partnerships with local legal aid groups.
Mayor Rotering responded that Highland Park has long provided outreach and practical supports for immigrant residents, pointing to the city’s ‘‘know your rights’’ materials and partnerships such as the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. She told the audience that ‘‘when you call 911 in Highland Park, first responders will never ask your immigration status’’ and that ‘‘Highland Park police do not participate in or assist with immigration enforcement,’’ citing the protections in the Illinois Trust Act.
Council members acknowledged both the public's urgency and legal limits on municipal authority. Council member Tapia encouraged community members to connect with local nonprofits and legal aid organizations that are organizing rapid responses and legal support. Several members said staff and the mayor had convened regional discussions — including a recently organized webinar with the Illinois attorney general’s office and municipal peers — to share best practices.
Speakers also proposed a concrete police role used by neighboring Evanston: directing responding officers to gather witness statements and document federal agent identities during immigration enforcement actions so incidents can be referred for investigation when warranted. The mayor said the city is sharing information with other municipalities and legal partners and will continue outreach.
Next steps: Council members asked staff to maintain contact with advocacy organizations and legal partners and to continue the council's public information campaign. No ordinance or formal policy change was adopted on Nov. 10.
