Carpentersville prohibits immigration agents from using village-owned property
A suburban community that once had an English-only law on the books has backed an ordinance prohibiting immigration agents from using village-owned property to stage or carry out immigration enforcement activities.
Carpentersville trustees Tuesday unanimously approved the measure just days after immigration agents were in the village for days of enforcement activities, including some carried out in front of village hall without notice to Carpentersville officials.
“I’m not happy about seeing masked people with guns,” said Jeff Frost, referencing immigration agents who were in Carpentersville last week.
“I was a yes vote (for the ordinance) before this meeting,” Frost added. “Keep the faith with the village of Carpentersville because we’re here for you.”
Village President John Skillman, who recalled his first action after being elected in 2017 was to rescind the English-only ordinance, said he held a meeting with state lawmakers and other community leaders Friday to discuss actions the community could take.
“We’re going to work hard,” he said, pointing to volunteers who attended Tuesday’s meeting. “We need everyone to get involved and stay involved.”
He encouraged people to volunteer to be observers during school drop-off and pick-up times to help alert educators when ICE agents are in the area. He also said the village will work with residents who are concerned about coming to village hall to pay utility bills and will work with food pantries to ensure residents who need food can receive it without fear of being detained by immigration.
Carpentersville joins other communities — including Lake, Will and Cook counties, Broadview and Evanston — in passing its ordinance. Other entities, including DuPage County, are expected to follow.
Tuesday’s action was welcomed with applause from the standing-room-only crowd at the meeting.
“We need to create a safe and welcoming environment for all of our residents, regardless of immigration status,” one woman told trustees before the vote.
In a memo to trustees, Village Manager Brad Stewart said that last Wednesday, ICE agents were parked in front of village hall, and some came inside with detainees to use the restroom. Last Thursday, two ICE agents were in a restricted parking area for police and employees without authorization.
The memo noted that the village received several phone calls and emails from residents concerned about the presence of ICE agents around village hall.
Many at Tuesday’s meeting spoke of the lingering effects of last week’s events. Some spoke of how family or friends are afraid to go to work, pick up children at school or go to the store because they may be targeted by immigration simply for being Hispanic. A fifth grade student told trustees he and his friends are afraid to go outside and play.
“I’m afraid because I see strangers stalking our streets, our neighborhoods, our stores,” said one woman.
Village officials said they will continue working with state lawmakers and community agencies, such as local food pantries and Elgin's Centro de Informacion, to address ongoing concerns.