Former Sheriff’s Aide Turned Clerk: ICE Alert Post Sparks Debate Over Anthony Vega’s Law Enforcement Ties

Opinion: Anthony Vega’s ICE Warning Raises Questions About His Priorities
By Pete Jansons, Founder of The Lake Forest Podcast
October 19, 2025

Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega’s recent Facebook post about ICE agents in Round Lake has me scratching my head. Once Chief of Staff to Sheriff John Idleburg, Vega knows the challenges law enforcement faces. So why is he now using his office to warn Spanish-speaking residents in a way that some see as prioritizing certain community interests over public safety coordination?

On October 17, Vega posted on his official page (facebook.com/countyclerk) sharing an alert from the Mano a Mano Family Resource Center about reported ICE sightings at local gas stations and a Home Depot (see the original post here). In that message, residents were advised: “No hables con ellos” (Don’t speak to them), “No firmes nada” (Don’t sign anything), and “Pide hablar con un abogado” (Ask to speak with a lawyer). Vega calls it a rights reminder, but to me, it feels like a signal that could complicate federal efforts. Having worked with sheriff’s deputies who rely on such coordination, his shift in approach stands out.

Vega’s background adds to the intrigue. His campaign bio (votevega.org/about-anthony) highlights his sheriff’s office tenure, and a 2022 Daily Herald profile noted his role as “Government, formerly the Lake County Sheriff’s” (dailyherald.com). He’s seen the strain illegal immigration can put on local resources—schools, hospitals—yet his post seems to lean toward shielding some residents from enforcement.

Supporters might say his immigrant roots and events like the HACES Citizenship Celebration (content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILLAKE) show community care. Fair enough—Illinois’ Trust Act limits ICE cooperation, and Vega’s message aligns with that. But as a former law enforcement insider, shouldn’t he balance this with support for those still in the field? His current stance feels like a departure from that past.

This isn’t about rejecting immigrants—it’s about focus. Vega ran on ethics and leadership (votevega.org), not on steering clear of federal policy debates. If he cares about Lake County, I’d rather see him push for immigration reform in Congress than issue alerts that muddy the waters. As a Lake Forest resident and podcast host, I’m skeptical—and I bet my listeners are too. Time for Vega to refocus on his core job: elections and records.

Pete Jansons is the founder of The Lake Forest Podcast, where parody meets entertainment with no fact-checkers, covering local issues from city council to community quirks. Find him at lakeforestpodcast.com.