Officer Fired Over Social Media Posts Suggesting Local ICE Raids

ELGIN, IL — The City of Elgin has fired police officer Jason Lentz after an investigation found he violated department policies by posting on social media suggesting that federal immigration authorities — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection — conduct enforcement actions at several locations in and around the city.

Ana Lalley, chief of the Elgin Police Department, determined termination was the appropriate disciplinary action after reviewing the investigation. The decision was approved by the city’s corporation counsel and city manager, city officials said Friday.

Lalley said she became aware of the posts on Oct. 15, 2025. Lentz was placed on administrative leave the following day, and the city launched an independent investigation, according to a news release.

In the social media posts, Lentz suggested U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conduct enforcement actions at three locations in Elgin and nearby communities, tagging the federal agencies in the posts. Investigators determined the posts violated department policies, according to a news release.

After reviewing the report, the Elgin Civilian Review Board also recommended termination. The board reviews allegations of police misconduct and provides disciplinary recommendations to the police chief, city officials said Friday.

In addition, Lentz applied for a disability pension on Oct. 16, 2025.

He had been working in a light-duty assignment after suffering an on-duty injury in 2023. The Elgin Police Pension Board approved his disability pension on Feb. 24, 2026.

Under Illinois law, the pension board operates independently from the city, meaning its determinations are separate from the city’s disciplinary process. As a result, Lentz’s disability pension is not affected by his termination, officials said.

“Lentz’s termination for misconduct is warranted and necessary to uphold standards the community expects and deserves,” Lalley said in a statement. “His actions do not reflect the standards of this agency. I ask the Elgin community to not judge our current and future officers based on the actions of one individual. The department remains committed to working with all members of the community to build lasting and meaningful relationships grounded in respect, understanding, accountability and trust.”

Rick Kozal, Elgin’s city manager, said he supported the decision.

“I wholly support Chief Lalley’s decision to terminate Lentz as a police officer,” Kozal said. “I was among those in the city administration demanding Lentz’s firing in 2014 for similar misconduct. While an arbitrator ultimately overturned the city’s decision to fire Lentz and impose a six-month suspension instead, Elgin succeeded in establishing precedent for holding police officers accountable for inflammatory social media posts before such disciplinary action became the norm.”