President Preckwinkle Signs Executive Order Banning the Use of Cook County Owned Property and Resources for Civil Immigration Enforcement

COOK COUNTY, IL–Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle signed an executive order (# 2025-1) that prohibits the use of County owned property, resources, and personnel for civil immigration enforcement activities. The order will prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using County owned property and resources for civil immigration enforcement actions including staging and debriefing from operations.

“Cook County is proud to be a welcoming County, committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and human rights of all residents,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “It is critical that the government’s interactions with the public adhere to our nation’s laws and values. Yet, ICE’s increasingly aggressive, inhumane and unlawful actions continue undermining the safety and stability of our communities. We will do everything we can to ensure all residents receive fair treatment and our communities are safe from harassment and intimidation.”

This order builds on prior resolutions and Cook County’s 2011 ordinance (#11-O-73) that prohibits the use of County facilities and personnel time for ICE investigations without a criminal warrant. Executive Order #2025-1 prohibits use of County-owned property including buildings, parking lots, garages and vacant lots for ICE activity.

By reinforcing this policy, Cook County is taking a clear stand in support of community safety and constitutional rights. Local law enforcement and County employees rely on public trust to effectively serve residents. Allowing federal civil immigration operations on County property would erode that trust, discourage cooperation with public safety agencies, and jeopardize the sense of security that all residents deserve.

“Cook County’s strength lies in its diversity,” Preckwinkle added. “We will continue to stand with our immigrant communities and protect them from policies that instill fear rather than promote fairness and justice.”

Cook County is the second-largest county in the United States with nearly 5.2 million residents, 22% of whom are foreign-born. Cook County celebrates its history and diversity and remains committed to ensuring fair treatment that respects the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or national origin.

For immigration information and resources, visit CookCountyil.gov/immigration