DuPage committee amends 2026 state legislative program to say 'all individuals' after debate over immigration language

The DuPage County Legislative Committee voted to adopt the county's 2026 state legislative program after approving an amendment to replace the word "residents" with "all individuals" in language urging the federal administration to halt ethnic and racial profiling.

During discussion on the resolution (LEGR 0001-26), a committee member objected to the draft wording and argued the county should commit to protecting "all persons," citing DuPage County's history as a "sundown town" and pressing for language that would protect people who are visiting or working in the county as well as those who live there.

The committee debated alternatives including "persons," "population," and "all individuals." Chair Desart and other members agreed to change the text in all three places it appeared in the draft program. A motion to amend the language to "all individuals" was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; the committee then approved the legislative program as amended.

Jesse Gutierrez, who spoke during public comment earlier in the meeting, urged the committee to continue supporting the immigrant and Latino community and called for bipartisan action to address what he described as escalating federal rhetoric and enforcement. Gutierrez framed the issue as a matter of constitutional rights and public safety.

The committee also discussed administrative items: staff will update the draft language in the program text, members were asked to provide feedback on the federal agenda by Thursday noon to meet posting deadlines ahead of MLK Day, and the committee adjourned.

The transcript records voice votes for the amendment and final adoption; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.