Prairie State Wire

Illinois Democrats are pushing forward legislation that would further restrict law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Introduced by Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez and co-sponsored by Reps. Barbara Hernandez, Laura Faver Dias, and Emanuel "Chris" Welch, HB 2706 seeks to amend the Illinois TRUST Act by expanding prohibitions on how local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration agents.

If passed, the bill would bar law enforcement agencies from retaining information about individuals' immigration status, place of birth, or citizenship. It would also prohibit officers from providing immigration agents with access to detainees through any form of communication, including phone calls or electronic messaging, broadening existing restrictions. Additionally, the bill would prevent immigration authorities from using local law enforcement facilities or databases for investigative purposes unless a third party certifies that the information will not be used for immigration enforcement. The legislation also repeals the Keep Illinois Families Together Act and incorporates some of its provisions into the Illinois TRUST Act.

The Illinois Sheriffs' Association has expressed opposition to House Bill 2706, which may limit their ability to cooperate with federal agencies, potentially impacting public safety and operational effectiveness.

The bill, filed in early February and currently assigned to the House Executive Committee, is set for a hearing today.

Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez is a dedicated public servant representing Illinois's 2nd House District, encompassing parts of Berwyn, Brookfield, Cicero, Riverside, Stickney, and Chicago's South Lawndale neighborhood, according to her bio page. She previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn.