Skokie Police Chief, Village Attorney Oppose ICE Response Ordinance: Report

SKOKIE, IL — A draft ordinance that sought to require how Skokie police officers respond to reports of federal immigration enforcement is not moving forward, according to The Record North Shore.

The Record reported that Trustee Gail Schechter submitted the proposal earlier this year and that it was discussed at a March 17 Committee of the Whole meeting. Patrick Deignan, the village communications director, confirmed by email that the measure “is not under consideration” and will not appear on the Village Board’s April 6 agenda, according to the report.

Police Chief Jesse Barnes and corporation counsel Steven Elrod argued the ordinance used mandatory language that could place officers in legal jeopardy. Barnes said the department is “looking to” send a sworn supervisor to the scene of immigration activity to try to identify and liaise with federal officers, document activity police directly observe with body-worn cameras and speak with other civilians at the scene to assess public safety concerns.

Barnes also said local police cannot direct or impede federal agents acting in a federal capacity, and he warned against giving residents “unrealistic expectations” about what officers can do in such situations. Elrod said municipalities may decline to assist federal operations under Illinois' TRUST Act, according to The Record.

Mayor Ann Tennes said village staff will work on public communication and that her office plans to send letters to federal partners about the discussion, The Record reported.

Read more from The Record North Shore: The Record's coverage of the Skokie meeting.