Illinois House pushes through bill restricting ICE detention centers in state

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – After heavy debate and Republican opposition, the Illinois House passed a bill that would all but ban detention centers from operating in numerous towns and cities across the state.

HB 5024 would restrict federal immigration detention centers across the state. If passed by the senate, it would impact operations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Illinois.

Republican legislators have previously criticized the bill, saying it would bring legal disputes against the state.

Sponsor of the bill, Speaker of the House Chris Welch, D-Westchester, defended the purpose of the bill on the floor.

“The detention center in Broadview sits in the middle of a neighborhood where there are homes nearby, children nearby, families nearby, and a church nearby,” Welch said. “It is extremely disruptive to the regular everyday business of the local community.”

Welch has previously said the bill will not retroactively apply to the Broadview detention facility.

Minority Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst, R-Harrisburg, cited California legislation attempting to ban federal detention facilities that brought constitutional challenges, questioning if the bill would invite similar scrutiny.

Welch said there are major differences between the California ban and his bill, which only restricts facilities from operating if they are within 1,500 feet of schools, daycares, parks, churches, public housing and private residences.

Despite the clarification, Windhorst said the bill would push the state further in the direction of fighting the federal government. He called on members to vote against passing it.

“We need to take a hard look at what we’re doing as a state to make sure we’re fulfilling our obligations to protect our citizens and to enforce the laws, including the federal laws of our country,” Windhorst said.

Welch said Windhorst had it backward.

“The federal government is picking a fight with us. We have states rights. We know our rights. We know our power,” Welch said.

Despite criticism, the bill passed 72-32.