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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has signed Executive Order #2025-1, which bans the use of county-owned property, resources, and personnel for civil immigration enforcement activities. The order specifically prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using any county-owned buildings, parking lots, garages, or vacant lots for operations such as staging or debriefing.
“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.”
The new executive order builds on earlier measures by Cook County. In 2011, an ordinance was passed prohibiting county facilities or staff time from being used for ICE investigations unless there is a criminal warrant.
According to county officials, this policy aims to support community safety and constitutional rights by maintaining public trust in local law enforcement. Officials argue that permitting federal civil immigration operations on county property could weaken trust between residents and public agencies.
“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 home to nearly 5.2 million people—making it the second-largest county in the United States—and about 22% of its population is foreign-born.
For more information on immigration resources provided by Cook County, visit CookCountyil.gov/immigration
