Trustee Shakar moves to put an ordinance on the committee agenda to clarify police response during federal immigration-enforcement activity

Trustee Shakar moved on March 2 that the village manager and corporation counsel prepare a draft ordinance “pertaining to local authority and public safety during immigration enforcement activity” and bring it to the committee-of-the-whole meeting on March 16 for discussion. The motion, seconded by Trustee Robinson and later modified to direct staff to prepare a discussion draft, passed unanimously after extended public testimony.

The proposed ordinance — which Trustee Shakar said she submitted to the board on Feb. 6 — would create clear expectations for how local police should respond when residents report masked or armed individuals they believe to be federal agents. Shakar said the measure is “affirmative” and focuses on what police can do, including documenting encounters, requesting credentials from purported agents, and preserving evidence such as body-worn camera footage.

Hundreds of residents who spoke during public comment urged swift, concrete action. One longtime resident described being threatened by armed federal agents and said local authorities should be empowered to verify identities and preserve evidence. “We must be prepared and cannot leave civilians alone to face harassment, assault, and kidnapping,” a commenter told the board.

Village Manager John Lockerby and Corporation Counsel Stephen Elrod urged caution. Lockerby warned that drafting an ordinance that directs specific on-the-street actions could create legal and liability risks for individual employees and the village if staff were asked to make determinations about federal authority or to undertake actions beyond their training. Elrod recommended legal review and described options such as a draft for discussion at a committee meeting, followed by staff refinement in coordination with the police department.

Several trustees said they supported getting a draft to the committee so staff and police can provide technical input. Trustee Lisa Levy said she favoured rapid public discussion but emphasized the need to “tread lightly” and ensure legal feasibility. Trustee Pierce Sloven and others asked staff and counsel to prepare materials in advance of March 16 so the discussion can be productive.

The board directed staff to include Trustee Shakar’s draft ordinance in the March 16 packet and to work with police and counsel to prepare a discussion-ready draft. The earliest the board could take final action, staff said, would be April 6 if the committee discussion yields consensus.

Next steps: the village manager and corporation counsel will present a discussion draft at the committee-of-the-whole meeting on March 16, 2026; trustees indicated they expect input from the police department and further legal review before any ordinance vote.

Quote: Trustee Shakar said the draft is intended “to set clear expectations, guidance, and support of our police officers during federal immigration enforcement activity.”

Ending: The board voted unanimously to schedule the March 16 committee discussion; no ordinance was adopted on March 2.