UPDATE: Illinois lawmakers are set to take urgent action to limit the powers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as tensions escalate in Broadview. With the state’s fall session commencing on October 13, 2025, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced plans to explore legal safeguards protecting residents from federal immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like hospitals and schools.
This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about ICE’s aggressive tactics, particularly during the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz.” Welch emphasized the need to shield vulnerable communities from intimidation, stating, “If we can keep ICE from going into hospitals… we want to keep them out of hospitals.” This proposed legislation aims to prevent federal agents from making arrests at locations where vulnerable populations seek essential services.
Broadview’s Mayor Katrina Thompson expressed outrage over the treatment of immigrants and the chaos stemming from recent protests. She issued an executive order on Monday, prohibiting demonstrations on 25th Avenue, a key thoroughfare, in an effort to restore order and ensure public safety as tensions rise. “Our residents do not have the privilege to retreat to quiet neighborhoods,” she asserted, stressing the need for peace amid ongoing protests.
In a show of solidarity, Welch joined Thompson and local activists at the ICE facility in Broadview, which has become a focal point for protests. Over the past three weeks, more than 2,500 people have gathered outside the facility, leading to 33 arrests for various offenses, including obstruction and aggravated battery.
The proposed measures come at a time when Illinois legislators are keen to ensure the enforceability of any new restrictions on federal immigration agents. Legal experts have raised concerns about whether states can effectively regulate federal officers. Welch stated, “We want to make sure that they have teeth, that they’re substantive and that they are enforceable.”
Meanwhile, State Representative Norma Hernandez highlighted discussions about further protections against ICE arrests in schools and daycare centers. “Our families belong in our communities, not in cages,” she stated passionately, urging fellow lawmakers to act against what she described as cruel and unconstitutional measures.
As the situation continues to evolve, many are closely watching the Illinois legislature’s next moves. Welch and Thompson are calling for immediate action to protect their constituents from federal overreach. The upcoming legislative session will be critical in determining the future of these proposed safeguards, with advocates pushing for stronger measures to ensure community safety and dignity.
This ongoing situation not only affects the local community but also resonates with broader national debates about immigration enforcement and the treatment of vulnerable populations. As Illinois lawmakers reconvene, the urgency for action has never been more apparent. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
