Villa Park board approves ordinance limiting federal immigration enforcement on village property

Village of Villa Park trustees on Jan. 12 approved an ordinance restricting federal civil immigration enforcement activities on village-owned or controlled property, adding a requirement that federal officers present a signed judicial warrant and give a copy to the Villa Park Police Department prior to any enforcement action.

Village President Kevin Patrick said the measure is intended to restore community confidence and ensure transparency after a recent national incident involving federal immigration enforcement prompted concern. "We must insist on oversight, clear standards for the use of force, and a meaningful voice for our community," Patrick said during the meeting.

Attorney Morton read the ordinance amendments the board adopted, adding language that federal civil immigration enforcement officers "shall present a signed judicial warrant and present and distribute a copy of said warrant to the Villa Park Police Department prior to undertaking any enforcement actions." The amendment requires the officer who presents the warrant to contact the chief of police and the village manager and states that no person shall be taken into custody on village property until the Villa Park Police Department verifies the validity of the judicial warrant "in accordance with standard law enforcement protocol." Morton also added a provision directing the village to draft and distribute a bilingual know-your-rights card with relevant information for the public.

The ordinance came after extensive public comment. Sarah Franklin, a Villa Park resident, urged trustees to specify a judicial warrant standard and to ensure effective verification, saying "this is happening here" and recounting instances she said involved local arrests. Gary Kleppe, another resident, told the board he supports the ordinance and said his concern is federal enforcement practices rather than local policing.

Trustees debated wording related to who is expected to report observed activity and whether the village should encourage residents to intervene; the board clarified that reporting requirements in the ordinance apply to village employees, officials and agents and that the police department will adopt internal protocols designed to protect witnesses and victims and to permit anonymous reporting where appropriate. The ordinance requires the Villa Park Police Department and village manager to draft procedures with clear timelines for review and outcomes within 15 days of the ordinance taking effect. Those procedures must include safeguards for confidentiality, a process for witness participation, and access to support services including translation and advocacy.

Trustee Cozart moved to waive the first reading and approve the ordinance as amended; Trustee Sabri seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as yes from Trustees O'Fano (Alfano), Cordova, Constatos, Cozart, Sabri and Village President Kevin Patrick. The ordinance was adopted and the board directed staff to begin drafting the implementation procedures.

The ordinance text as adopted limits the village's role to procedures and reporting on village property; Attorney Morton reminded the board that broader immigration enforcement authority remains federal and that the village is focused on verification and resident protections. The board agreed to publish the new procedures and the bilingual materials to the public once they are finalized.