Morton Grove residents press board for written protections as village outlines signage, hotline and staff policy

Dozens of residents told the Village of Morton Grove Board of Trustees on Nov. 25 that federal immigration enforcement activity in and around the village has left neighbors afraid to leave their homes and seeking formal local protections.

At the meeting’s public-comment period, faith leaders, health professionals and longtime residents urged the board to move beyond statements of support and adopt written ordinances and procedures. "This is happening here," said one faith leader who identified himself as Rick (a deacon at St. James Episcopal Cathedral), adding that "doing nothing at all...is a form of acquiescing." Jenny Marin, a 10-year resident, asked the board to "amend the village code to add a resolution that specifically prohibits any federal immigration operations on village owned property unless there is a valid judicial warrant present." She also requested timelines and locations for planned signage and details on how staff will be required to follow the Illinois Trust Act.

Several speakers described concrete harms they attribute to enforcement activity.…