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Resident and experts press Broadview leaders on ICE activity; mayor defends first‑responder support and cites Illinois law
Summary
A public commenter urged Broadview to limit cooperation with ICE under the Illinois 'Way Forward' framework; Mayor Katrina Thompson said the village prioritizes resident safety, has communicated with regional officials and follows Illinois statute while supporting public-safety teams responding to demonstrations.
Doctor Sarah Elizabeth, who identified herself as a university professor and cycling advocate who was injured by a driver, used public comment to urge the Broadview Board to act on recent demonstrations and federal immigration enforcement activity near an ICE facility in the village. She asked the village to invoke the 2021 Illinois "Way Forward Act" (as referenced in her remarks) to limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and to seek support from state and federal elected officials to protect children and families affected by detentions.
"Please be on the right side of history," she said, urging collaboration with local and state elected officials and reminding trustees that restrictions on local resources supporting ICE operations exist in state law. Dr. Elizabeth also said some peaceful protesters had been exposed to tear gas and stressed the trauma this causes children.
Mayor Katrina Thompson responded at length, praising the Broadview Police and Fire Departments and neighboring municipal partners for their response during demonstrations and stressing that the village’s first priority is resident safety. She said the village has communicated with Proviso Township mayors and sent outreach to superintendents about safe passage for families; she reiterated that Broadview follows Illinois statute regarding the use of local resources in relation to ICE.
The mayor noted the village is diverse and emphasized compassion while acknowledging the challenges of balancing public order, safety and civil-rights concerns. No formal resolution or policy change was proposed at the meeting; the mayor said the village would continue to monitor developments and update residents.
