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Lake Bluff adopts ordinance restricting village property use for civil immigration enforcement
Summary
The Lake Bluff Village Board approved a second-reading ordinance clarifying that village staff should not assist with routine civil immigration enforcement on village property and that staff will comply with the Illinois Trust Act; the vote followed public comment both opposing and supporting the measure.
The Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees on Dec. 8 approved a local ordinance limiting the use of village property and resources for civil immigration enforcement and directing village staff to comply with the Illinois Trust Act.
The ordinance, approved by roll call after a second reading, includes community-recital language affirming respect for all residents, guidance for law enforcement and village staff not to enforce federal civil immigration laws, an explicit restriction on using village-owned facilities and equipment for civil immigration enforcement, and authorization for staff to provide signage language to private property owners who wish to post restrictions.
Trustee discussion focused on clarifying the ordinance’s practical scope. Trustee Freid and several colleagues said the ordinance simply clarifies that village employees must follow the Illinois Trust Act and that limiting the use of village property for civil immigration enforcement is within the board’s authority. Trustee comments stressed the language is intended to be consistent with state law and to reduce unnecessary work for police if unenforceable demands arise.
Public comment reflected strong differences. Resident John Zavitz urged the board to postpone or reject the ordinance, saying the village already complies with the Illinois Trust Act and that the draft would be primarily symbolic and possibly unenforceable. Claire Dietz, democracy-in-action coordinator at Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, said enforcement actions by federal agents have “terrorized” local immigrant communities and urged trustees to adopt protections that reduce fear among residents. Peter White, speaking as a resident, suggested a narrower administrative approach and cautioned against what he described as political signaling.
After public comment and trustee discussion, the board took a roll-call vote and approved the ordinance. The board chair stated staff will implement the language as written and provide the permitted signage language for private property owners.
Next steps: the ordinance now stands adopted by the board as the second-reading vote carried; staff will follow the ordinance’s guidance on signage and property use.
