IL committee advances speaker’s bill to restrict federal detention centers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois House Executive Committee has advanced legislation that would place restrictions on where federal detention facilities can be placed, but a Republican lawmaker said the measure may invite litigation.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said House Bill 5024 would prevent the federal government from placing detention centers within 1,500 feet of schools, day care centers, parks, forest preserves, homes or places of worship.

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in her community has placed a significant burden on taxpayers.

“The village of Broadview has already lost over $700,000 in direct and indirect impact associated with this facility, including public safety resources, operational strain and economic disruption to local businesses,” Thompson said.

Thompson said there should be a mechanism for the federal government to reimburse communities for the costs they absorb.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, told Welch an appeals court in California ruled that a ban on ICE detention facilities interfered with federal law.

“Is this a law that we’re passing to provide more work opportunity for the attorney general of the state of Illinois? Are we just looking for a lawsuit?” Davidsmeyer asked.

Welch said the Seventh Circuit in Illinois is different than the Ninth Circuit in California.

“I don’t want a detention facility in my community and you shouldn’t want one, either, but this is not a ban. This is saying they should not be built within 1,500 feet of these facilities,” Welch said.

Welch said the bill is not retroactive and would not close the ICE center in Broadview.

HB 5024 advanced out of committee by a vote of 8 to 3.