HB 1312 is aimed at protecting immigrants from what the governor calls unjust enforcement.
Illinois courthouses are now off-limits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents hoping to make an immigration arrest. Pritzker signed a bill into law that bars immigration enforcement inside or within 1,000 feet of a courthouse building.
"The idea that the Trump administration wants to prevent people from attending courts, doing their civic duty, and protecting public safety just boggles the mind," Pritzker said.
Gov. Pritzker signs bill expanding legal protections for immigrants in Illinois
Since the Department of Homeland Security's Chicago-area immigration operation "Midway Blitz" began in September, Pritzker says, only 2.6% of the people arrested by ICE in the Chicago area were considered high public safety risks by the federal government.
Agents have shown up at places of employment, including a day care center. Churches, schools, college campuses, and hospitals have been targets as well.
"Before the bill was signed into law, ICE will just tell a hospital, you don't have the authority to tell us anything. Now, you do," said Democratic Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.
Illinois' new law also requires hospitals, public universities and community colleges and day care facilities to develop plans and procedures in case federal immigration agents show up at their establishments.
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"With daycare centers, it's part of the licensing process with the hospitals. It's also part of the licensing process," said Fred Tsao with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee and other immigration groups worked with Democratic state leaders to write the legislation. The bill also allows people subject to civil arrest the ability to sue law enforcement officers who violate the constitution.
"No one, and I mean no one, is above the law," Pritzker said.
But Republicans and the Trump administration argue Pritzker is acting above the law. In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, wrote, in part, "He must be unfamiliar with the US Constitution.... By signing this law, Pritzker violated the Supremacy Clause."
The governor says he's not worried if his bill is legally challenged.
"No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is a not just a good law, but a great law," Pritzker said.
The courthouse element of the bill goes into effect on Tuesday. Entities like daycare centers and hospitals have been given various deadlines between January and March to provide their ICE organizational plans.
Full statement from McLaughlin:
"He must be unfamiliar with the US Constitution. Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution, still clearly states:
'This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof ... shall be the supreme Law of the Land.'
By signing this law, Pritzker violated the Supremacy Clause, his oath he took as Governor to "support the Constitution of the United States" - which itself falls under the oaths clause of the Constitution.
We hope the headlines, social media likes, and fundraising emails he did this for are worth it!"