Aldermen’s attempt to alter Chicago’s sanctuary city policy fails amid public outcry

But the council voted 39-11 against it without even discussing it much. There was a lot of public feedback, though. Many folks showed up to support the current sanctuary city rules, saying the proposed changes would hurt Black and Brown communities. They argued that working with federal agents could scare people away from reporting crimes.
Elias Cepeda from Pilsen Defense and Access spoke out, saying the amendment would create fear among hardworking residents. While most speakers were against the change, a few people in the crowd made some noise, shouting things like “Trump is coming to get you.”
Lopez expressed disappointment that he couldn’t have a proper discussion about his proposal. He’s open to working with other council members in the future. Meanwhile, those who voted against the amendment celebrated, saying it was a win for the city.
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa emphasized that the majority of Chicagoans want to keep the city a sanctuary. Mayor Brandon Johnson also backed the council’s decision, reaffirming support for the Welcoming City ordinance.
Before the vote, there was a lot of pushback against the proposal, mainly due to concerns about the financial and legal risks of allowing ICE holds in Chicago. These holds can lead to serious legal issues, as seen in other cities like New York and Los Angeles, which faced hefty payouts for unlawful detentions.
Lopez didn’t clarify if he was aware of these risks before filing his amendment, but he did mention that other cities had faced consequences for similar actions. Some council members who opposed the amendment aren’t worried about Lopez and Tabares trying again, saying they’ll just vote against it again.