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Kane County board adopts resolution barring unauthorized use of county property for civil immigration enforcement
Summary
After extended public comment, the Kane County Board voted to adopt Resolution 25‑4‑50, clarifying that county parking lots, vacant lots and garages may not be used as staging or processing areas for civil immigration enforcement without authorization; the state's attorney said the measure does not block lawful federal duties.
The Kane County Board voted Nov. 17 to adopt Resolution 25‑4‑50, a measure that clarifies county policy to prevent county property from being used as a staging area, processing site or operational base for civil immigration enforcement without authorization. Supporters said the action was aimed at protecting residents and county facilities from what they described as aggressive federal operations.
Sponsor Miss Molina urged members to back the resolution, saying it "helps to ensure county property is not used for staging areas, processing sites, or operational basis for civil immigration enforcement activities without authorization while fully respecting the lawful duties of federal officers." Several residents who spoke during a lengthy public‑comment period urged the board to act after what they described as troubling enforcement tactics in neighboring cities.
Opponents and some board members warned the resolution should not be presented as a block on lawful federal activity. Member David Young asked whether the measure would allow federal officers to use county property for criminal enforcement and raised questions about enforceability. The state's attorney answered that the resolution does not prevent federal officers from performing lawful duties but restricts the county's property being commandeered as an operational base: "They still can do civil immigration enforcement and criminal immigration enforcement, but they cannot use our property to set up an operations base," the state's attorney said, explaining enforcement would be handled through reporting to the state accountability board and by existing state law protections.
The board amended a scrivener's error in the effective date (changed to 2025) by consensus before voting. A roll call vote resulted in the resolution's passage; the record notes it "passes with 3 no's, 1 abstain." Board members who supported the measure described it as a protective, narrowly tailored policy; others cautioned residents and local officials not to presume it provides immunity from federal law enforcement.
Background: the resolution references the Illinois Trust Act and state oversight mechanisms designed to limit certain local assistance in civil immigration enforcement. During the meeting, the state's attorney also referenced recently passed state legislation (House Bill 1321) that imposes additional restrictions near courthouses and certain locations.
Next steps: The resolution is effective as corrected and county staff were thanked for drafting the language. The state's attorney offered to provide public guidance and the accountability pathway the board will use for reported incidents.
