Illinois lawmakers bar new ICE detention near schools

Illinois bans – Illinois lawmakers passed a bill early Monday that would make new immigration detention centers illegal within 1,500 feet of schools, churches, daycare centers, cemeteries, public parks, forest preserves, private residences and public housing. Democrats backed

When Illinois lawmakers took up the bill in the early hours of Monday, the fight wasn’t just about detention policy—it was about where it could happen, and how far the state could push back.

Under the measure headed to Gov. JB Pritzker. new immigration detention centers would be barred from being placed within 1. 500 feet of schools. churches. daycare centers. cemeteries. public parks. forest preserves. private residences and public housing. If the governor signs it, the law would apply to new facilities. Existing operations would not be affected, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview.

Republicans opposed the bill. During debate when it first passed the House, Republican House Floor Leader Rep. Patrick Windhorst argued it would be unconstitutional, saying state laws cannot supersede the federal government and its branches, including ICE.

Democrats disagreed, pointing out that the bill does not ban detention centers entirely. Instead, it restricts where new centers can go.

Steven Schwinn, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Illinois Chicago, said the legal question remains unsettled. He described how the federal government often either voluntarily complies with state requirements or works out a compromise to maintain a working relationship. But he said he is not sure that dynamic would hold under the Trump administration. “I don’t know that things are going to work themselves out exactly that way in the Trump administration. ” Schwinn said. “This is an administration that is very aggressive. particularly with regard to immigration enforcement and ICE efforts.” He added that if federal authorities decide to press the issue. they likely have a chance of prevailing: “If the federal government really wants to push it. yes. they probably have a good chance of prevailing.”.

The momentum for the bill came after Operation Midway Blitz—a Trump administration effort that included mass deportations and ICE raids throughout Chicago last fall. For residents in Broadview, the Broadview detention center became a flash point for anti-ICE protests.

State Sen. Kimberly Lightford. who represents parts of Broadview and sponsored the bill in the Senate. tied the legislation to the disruption residents experienced. “Beginning late last year, residents in the village of Broadview woke up to chaos at their doorstep,” Lightford said. She added that the village contains the only detention center in Illinois and argued that it has been forced to incur “significant burdens and expenses” as a result.

Broadview officials pointed to costs tied to Operation Midway Blitz. They said the operation cost the municipality $361. 536 and included an estimated $353. 813 in losses for local businesses Reynolds Advanced Materials and Wagner Brass Foundry Inc. Both businesses are within two blocks of the ICE facility. Neither company was available for comment.

Since then, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has asked the federal government for reimbursement for costs connected to the operation.

As the bill advanced, Republicans said Democrats were picking a fight instead of finding a workable path with federal authorities. Windhorst and other opponents urged Democrats to rethink their approach. “We are continually picking fights with the federal government,” Windhorst said. Failing to “work together with the federal government to resolve the issues. particularly related to immigration and enforcement of our laws. has resulted in huge problems in our state.”.

Illinois Legislature immigration detention ICE Broadview Operation Midway Blitz JB Pritzker Patrick Windhorst Kimberly Lightford Steven Schwinn constitutional law