'Chemical Irritants' Used By Federal Agents, 7 Receive Medical Care: Police

ELGIN, IL — Emergency personnel in Elgin provided medical care to seven people who were exposed to "chemical irritants" used by federal agents during an incident over the weekend, police said.

In total, police received at least 30 calls related to incidents involving the federal agents in Elgin on Saturday, according to a news release from the police department.

The first call came from a federal agent at about 9:15 a.m. on Saturday regarding a traffic crash, according to authorities. Officers responded to the collision in the 1600 block of West Highland Avenue and were told by the federal agent that the crash occurred while conducting "enforcement activities."

The agent said the person fled from a vehicle that was involved in the collision and fled to the area of Maple Lane, police said. Police completed a police report regarding the collision and then cleared the scene.

About an hour later, authorities received a call regarding a suspicious incident in the 1600 block of Maple Lane involving subjects in masks that were on a property and stating they had a warrant, according to the news release.

Police responded, determined federal agents were on the scene and then cleared the area, authorities said.

At about 12:20 p.m., several Elgin residents called police to report shots had been fired in the 1600 block of Maple Lane, police said. Officers responded and determined shots had not been fired, but they learned chemical irritants had been used.

Police assisted the Elgin Fire Department in providing medical treatment to seven people who were treated at the scene and then released.

After leaving the scene, officers were again called back to the 1600 block of Maple Lane — this time for a report of a person who needed medical assistance.

Officers did not find anyone in need of medical care but did spot federal agents in the area. When Elgin officers arrived, the federal agents left the area, police said.

"The Elgin Police Department will continue to respond to any calls for service and determine the appropriate action within the parameters of the Illinois Trust Act which prohibits Elgin officers from assisting with federal immigration enforcement operations," police said in the news release.