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Riverside board adopts community‑values resolution addressing immigration enforcement, with legal limits noted
Summary
Trustees approved a resolution affirming diversity, inclusion and public‑safety principles that directs residents to report suspected federal immigration enforcement and reaffirms reliance on the Illinois Trust Act; public commenters urged broader prohibitions and clearer non‑police response options.
On Nov. 20, 2025, the Village of Riverside Board adopted a resolution reaffirming community values and public‑safety principles, including provisions addressing federal immigration enforcement and communication in multiple languages.
President Pollock read the resolution, which recalls the village’s earlier diversity and inclusion statement and notes community concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The text encourages residents to notify the Riverside Police Department if they witness immigration enforcement activity and states that the Riverside Police will respond with the intent to protect the peace, de‑escalate confrontations and, where appropriate, enforce local and state criminal law. The resolution further states the village will comply with the Illinois Trust Act, including its prohibitions on assisting federal immigration enforcement.
Carla Altmire, a Riverside resident and former immigration attorney who co‑founded the Riverside Rapid Response Group, praised the resolution’s inclusive language but urged the Board to go further. Altmire asked the village to prohibit collection and sharing of immigration status across all town departments, to prohibit use of unidentified or masked agents and to consider banning certain chemical agents that have health risks. She also suggested building non‑police response options because communities most affected by federal enforcement may not call police.
Village Attorney Pickrell and other officials explained legal constraints: municipalities operate under state and federal law and the Illinois Trust Act governs what local agencies and officials can and cannot do regarding immigration enforcement. Pickrell said the resolution reflects the village’s interpretation of what it can commit to under existing law. Trustees accepted an amendment changing wording from 'citizens' to 'people' in one clause and then voted to approve the resolution on roll call.
The action reaffirms Riverside’s commitment to providing communications in Spanish, English and other languages as possible and directs the Police Department to respond to reports with an emphasis on de‑escalation.
The resolution does not create new criminal prohibitions on federal enforcement activity; Attorney Pickrell said actions that would obstruct federal law enforcement could raise legal issues.
