Resident asks Hoffman Estates police to clarify role on federal immigration enforcement; chief cites Illinois Trust Act

Kristen Barton, a Hoffman Estate resident and nurse, told the Public Health & Safety Committee on Jan. 26 she is “concerned, put lightly, with the abuse of constitutional rights at the hand of federal agencies, ICE, and border control,” and asked how Hoffman Estates law enforcement would respond if federal agencies seek local assistance.

The committee’s police chief replied that the department follows the Illinois Trust Act and does not enforce civil federal immigration law. “Civil federal immigration law is not under our authority at all,” the chief said. “So we would never enforce any kind of civil immigration law… We follow state law when it comes to that.” He added that the department will always respond to 911 calls and that resident safety is the department’s top priority.

Barton asked whether federal agencies would be allowed use of village property, resources or police, and asked for a public statement from local law enforcement clarifying the village’s position. “Since transparency builds public trust, I’d like to request that a response to these questions be made in a public way and soon, please,” she said.

The committee did not take formal action on the request at the meeting. Committee members acknowledged the question and the chief’s explanation that the village follows state law; no additional directive or vote was recorded on issuing a separate public statement.

Next steps: The committee has the resident’s request on the record; the meeting minutes note the exchange and the chief’s statement that the department follows the Illinois Trust Act. No formal policy change or vote was recorded at the meeting.