CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a new law on Tuesday designed to shield immigrant families in the state from aggressive federal immigration enforcement. The legislation restricts how federal agents can operate outside courthouses and creates legal avenues for individuals who believe their constitutional rights have been violated.
The bill, passed during the Illinois General Assembly’s veto session at the end of October, also requires hospitals to implement policies governing interactions with law enforcement. Acute care facilities must comply by Jan. 1, 2026, and all other hospitals by March 1, 2026. The law comes after months of controversial federal enforcement actions in Chicago, including a campaign dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz” in which officers reportedly used excessive force against protesters, journalists, and clergy. Local leaders, including Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, said the law would provide stronger legal protections, allowing individuals to hold federal agents accountable without resorting to separate tort claims. Advocates hailed the law as a reaffirmation of Illinois’ commitment to immigrant communities, requiring schools and day cares to distribute know-your-rights information and formalizing safeguards that had previously been fought over in court.