Residents Demand Elmhurst Restrict ICE, Cite Concerns

ELMHURST, IL – Two weeks ago, an Elmhurst alderman asked the city to consider what he described as a largely symbolic measure to protect residents from ICE.

On Monday, residents filled the City Council's chambers asking for restrictions on federal immigration agents.

In response, Mayor Scott Levin said the council rarely takes stands on issues outside its jurisdiction. That drew criticism from the audience.

At the meeting, several speakers urged the council to enact a "Welcoming City" ordinance, such as those in Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park.

Such measures, they said, would ban immigration agents from city property for investigative purposes and require a warrant signed by a judge before police would cooperate.

Some said they carry passports and other documents in case they are stopped by agents.

In her speech, resident Jenn Kovacs expressed concern for neighbors.

"It's about the family that was left behind after their dad was taken at dawn on his way to work, where he'd been employed paying taxes for 12 years," she said. "It's about the scared family who called 911 or 311 because masked men showed up on their lawn to accost their landscape crew."

Resident Christopher Hanna said that hardly anyone picked up during recent ICE raids had criminal histories.

"What side of history do we want to be on?" he said. "What do we want our children and grandchildren to know about our response during the so-called ICE age?"

Levin, however, said the council rarely enacts measures that take positions on federal issues. In early 2023, he noted, the city did not react with an ordinance when Texas took migrants to suburban train stations. (Other towns, including Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills, quickly passed bus regulations.)

"We did take a leadership role that we would be protecting our residents and we would be protecting the people who were arriving on trains," the mayor said. "That was a statement and model followed by many other DuPage communities."

Elmhurst resident Jenn Kovacs speaks Monday to the City Council about her concern over ICE activities in town. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Levin noted that he and aldermen spoke out in 2022 against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but he contended that support for that position was unanimous.

Another suburb, Levin said, recently adopted a measure similar to what is being sought in Elmhurst. That was after a "highly contentious" debate and a divided vote, he said.

"I think that's where we would go to," he said.

He said aldermen took different views on the issue, adding he had strong opinions himself.

The mayor also said the city police could not interfere with federal enforcement activities.

"If there was someone being battered by a federal agent, whether our officers can do anything or not, I don't know," Levin said. "But (the police) will respond. You dial 911 if you need help."

Levin also cited reports that federal agents have moved their efforts to Charlotte, North Carolina.

He then called a short break. Most of the people in the room left, with a few getting in words before doing so.

Some shouted that federal agents are still in the Chicago area, while a woman said she was a second-class citizen because she must carry her passport.

Others expressed anger with city officials.

"Your racism shows, Mr. Mayor," one said. Another said, "Remember this for the next election."

Two weeks ago, Alderman Guido Nardini, who is running for the DuPage County Board, said at a council meeting that federal agents pulled York High School students out of a car at gunpoint in Lombard.

He called for the city to enact an ordinance dealing with ICE operations.

Last week, Levin told Patch about incidents involving ICE in Elmhurst.