Sanctuary Status: Protected
Illinois governs its sanctuary posture through the Illinois TRUST Act, establishing a clear boundary between local policing and federal civil immigration enforcement.
Key Protective Laws
Illinois TRUST Act
The foundational sanctuary law for Illinois.
What Police CANNOT Do:
- Stop, arrest, search, or detain an individual solely based on citizenship or immigration status
- Honor civil immigration detainers issued by ICE
- Honor administrative warrants issued by ICE
- Hold anyone for ICE without a valid, court-issued criminal warrant
Chicago Welcoming City Ordinance
Municipal reinforcement of sanctuary protections in Chicago.
Guarantees:
- City services will NOT be denied based on immigration status
- City agencies cannot share status information with federal authorities
- No cooperation with ICE enforcement operations
2026 Amendment: The Chicago City Council empowered the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to formally investigate alleged violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance by Chicago Police Department officers.
Enforcement Patterns
With local jails and police legally barred from assisting ICE, federal enforcement relies on mobile operations:
| Enforcement Focus | Locations |
|---|---|
| Transit Hubs | O'Hare International Airport area |
| Industrial Zones | Suburban manufacturing facilities |
| Targeted Raids | Intelligence-driven community operations |
| Courthouses | Federal facilities (state courts protected) |
ICE Field Office: Chicago (covers Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, Kansas)
Legal Aid Resources
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
Premier legal aid organization headquartered in Chicago.
- Coverage: Chicago and surrounding metros
- Services: Asylum representation, detention release, family reunification
- Phone: (312) 660-1370
- Website: immigrantjustice.org
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
- Services: Community education, policy advocacy, emergency response
- Website: icirr.org
- Focus: Statewide coordination and rapid response
Legal Aid Chicago
- Services: Civil legal services including immigration
- Phone: (312) 341-1070
- Website: legalaidchicago.org
Additional Resources
| Organization | Services |
|---|---|
| Resurrection Project | Legal services, community development |
| Heartland Alliance | Comprehensive immigrant services |
| Chicago Appleseed | Policy advocacy, systemic reform |
Detention in Illinois
Illinois has systematically moved to eliminate private immigration detention within its borders.
Current Status:
- ICE relies on out-of-state transfers
- Legacy federal contracts in specific county jails
- No major ICE detention centers in state
Facilities Sometimes Used:
| Facility | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| McHenry County Jail | Woodstock | IGSA beds |
| Jerome Combs Detention Center | Kankakee | Limited use |
Most Illinois arrestees are transferred to Indiana, Wisconsin, or other states.
Immigration Court
| Location | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 525 W. Van Buren | Main court, multiple courtrooms |
The Chicago Immigration Court handles cases for the entire region.
Know Your Rights in Illinois
- Police cannot ask about your immigration status during any encounter
- You will NOT be held for ICE on a civil detainer
- City services are available regardless of status in Chicago
- You do NOT have to open your door without a judicial warrant
- You have the right to remain silent - Always exercise it
Chicago-Specific Protections
| Program | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| CityKey | Municipal ID for all Chicago residents |
| Legal Protection Fund | City-funded immigration legal defense |
| Office of New Americans | Resource coordination and support |
| COPA Oversight | Investigation of Welcoming City violations |
Suburban Considerations
While Chicago has robust protections, suburban Cook County and collar counties may have different practices:
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cook County | County ordinance limits ICE cooperation |
| DuPage County | Check current policies |
| Lake County | Check current policies |
| Will County | Check current policies |
Always verify local policies for your specific municipality.
O'Hare Airport
O'Hare International Airport is a major ICE/CBP activity zone:
- International arrivals face CBP inspection
- ICE operations in surrounding areas
- Know your rights before traveling
- Have attorney contact information ready
Emergency Contacts
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| NIJC | (312) 660-1370 |
| ICIRR | icirr.org |
| Legal Aid Chicago | (312) 341-1070 |
| ACLU Illinois | (312) 201-9740 |