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An Ordinance Amending Article 13-7 (“Welcoming Village”) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding the Use of Village Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes
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Introduction
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This is an ordinance amending Article 13-7 (“Welcoming Village”) of the Oak Park Village Code regarding the use of Village property for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the ordinance.
Prior Board Action
At the October 21, 2025 Village Board meeting, during the discussion of item ID 25-624, the Board directed staff to create an ordinance prohibiting the commandeering of Village property for staging areas, processing locations, and operations bases for civil immigration enforcement purposes.
Background
On October 21, 2025, staff received direction from the Board of Trustees to draft an ordinance prohibiting staging areas, processing locations, and operations bases for civil immigration enforcement purposes on Village-owned property. Since this meeting, staff have drafted ordinance language, highlighted some operational impacts of adopting the ordinance, and have begun identifying and developing additional community education and engagement approaches.
In terms of engagement, the Village has issued multiple news releases that reinforce the Village’s position as a Welcoming Village, including on October 9, 2025, September 26, 2025, September 19, 2025, and September 18, 2025. The content of the statements does vary, but each release references the Welcoming Ordinance, describes the role of Village law enforcement and other Village staff and confirms that the Village does not assist in matters related to federal civil immigration enforcement. These news releases also direct people to the Village’s Immigration Resources page, www.oak-park.us/immigrationresources <http://www.oak-park.us/immigrationresources>. Similarly, there is an item on the front page of the upcoming November/December issue of the OP/FYI that includes the link to resources, as well. Staff expect it to be delivered by the week of Nov. 10.
Staff have linked to the Immigration Resources page in multiple locations, including from the front page of the website. It is one of the eight (8) top-task buttons, and as of October 20, 2025, it is one of the main “stories” in the slideshow on the front page of the Village website, linking directly to the Immigration Resources page.
Staff have designed and ordered 20,000 bilingual 5”x7” flyers for distribution throughout the community. The flyers contain our introductory text on the topic and a QR to the Immigration Resources page. These are being distributed by a variety of groups including first responders, building and property maintenance inspectors, E.C.H.O. staff, community partners like the Library, Collaboration for Early Childhood Education and more. The first 10,000 were delivered to Village Hall on October 17, 2025.
Staff continue to explore additional opportunities for community education and engagement and anticipate bringing forward recommendations for further consideration by the Village Manager and the Village Board.
Timing Considerations
This item responds to current actions within the community.
Budget Impact
The generation and installation of signage at Village-owned sites as well as signage to be distributed to private residents will have budget impacts that need to be determined based on the number of signs being created, installed, and distributed.
Staffing Impact
The generation and installation of signage may take significant staff hours, depending on the number of signs that are determined at each location.
DEI Impact
The Ordinance seeks to limit the commandeering of Village property and resources for certain civil immigration enforcement activities in a manner consistent with the Village’s values and principles, as well as the Village’s Welcoming Ordinance. While this ordinance affirms the Village’s values, it is important to ensure that vulnerable community members do not misinterpret this ordinance as prohibiting ICE from accessing Village property.
Community Input
Following the Board’s direction, there has been no additional community engagement or input on this agenda item.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the ordinance.
Advantages:
• This action will amend the Welcoming Village ordinance and prohibit the commandeering of Village property for certain activities associated with civil immigration enforcement.
Disadvantages:
• This ordinance may be difficult to enforce in real-time.
• Residents may have a false sense of security regarding what this amendment does and does not do.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can elect not to adopt the ordinance.
Advantages:
• There are no advantages to this action.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this action.
Alternative 2:
The Board can request additional information or modifications to the ordinance.
Advantages:
• The Village Board will be provided with the additional information requested.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this action.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item at this time.
Prepared By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Reviewed By: Ahmad Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. Trustee memo