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Residents urge La Grange to adopt 'welcoming/ICE‑free' ordinance; trustees ask staff to draft language
Summary
Multiple residents urged the village to adopt an ordinance limiting use of village resources for immigration enforcement and to provide outreach and referrals; trustees directed staff to draft a version for future consideration.
Several residents at the Jan. 26 La Grange Village Board meeting urged the board to adopt a local ordinance declaring La Grange a welcoming community and restricting the use of village property or resources for immigration enforcement.
"We ask the village board to adopt an ordinance declaring LaGrange to be a welcoming community," said Mike Waters, who urged prohibiting municipal property use for immigration enforcement and directing staff to offer referrals and information to residents affected by enforcement. Waters noted other suburbs that have adopted similar measures and said the move “would send a message of support to immigrants who live and work in this community.”
Jim Longino and others made similar requests, citing national enforcement actions and asking the village to empower officers to protect constitutional rights while in La Grange. Jonathan Robinson asked trustees to place the ordinance on a future agenda and to formally vote on it.
After public comment, Trustee Gail said she wanted staff to draft a version of a welcoming ordinance for board consideration. Trustee Allison said she also supported reviewing such an ordinance and suggested consulting counsel and other municipalities’ language before a future vote.
No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting; trustees directed staff to prepare draft language for a subsequent meeting. The board did not set a date to bring the draft forward during the session.
