La Grange Village Board Unanimously Approves Welcoming Ordinance

New ordinance prohibits federal immigration agents from using village property for enforcement actions

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The La Grange Village Board unanimously adopted a Welcoming Community ordinance that prohibits federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using village property to conduct civil immigration enforcement actions. The ordinance was drafted with input from the village manager, attorney, and police chief, and was supported by local residents who urged the board to take action to protect immigrants in the community.

Why it matters

The ordinance is part of a growing trend among municipalities in the Chicago region to enact policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. These 'welcoming community' ordinances aim to make local governments less complicit in the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, which has included high-profile raids and deportations that have alarmed many residents.

The details

The Welcoming Community ordinance prohibits ICE from using any village property, including buildings or vehicles, for immigration enforcement activities such as staging operations or detaining individuals. The ordinance was proposed by local advocacy group Indivisible West Suburban Chicago, whose members cited concerns about federal agents 'terrorizing' immigrant communities in the region. Village President Mark Kuchler and Trustee Lou Gale both expressed support for the ordinance, with Gale saying it reflected the will of La Grange residents.

  • The La Grange Village Board unanimously adopted the Welcoming Community ordinance on February 9, 2026.
  • Indivisible West Suburban Chicago proposed the ordinance at the Village Board's previous meeting on January 26, 2026.

The players

Mark Kuchler

The president of the La Grange Village Board.

Lou Gale

A trustee on the La Grange Village Board who expressed support for the ordinance.

Indivisible West Suburban Chicago

A volunteer advocacy group of 2,500 members that operates primarily in La Grange, La Grange Park, Western Springs, and Brookfield, and that proposed the Welcoming Community ordinance.

Mike Waters

A 40-year resident of La Grange and member of Indivisible West Suburban Chicago who urged the Village Board to adopt the ordinance.

Jim Longino

A 30-year resident of La Grange who also spoke in support of the ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“We watched in dismay as federal immigration agents terrorized Chicago and its suburbs in Operation Midway Blitz this past fall. And we're watching in horror now as the Department of Homeland Security wages war on the Twin Cities. Protestors are being executed while exercising their constitutional right to record the violence brought by ICE agents. Children are being snatched and used as pawns, families are being torn apart, U.S. citizens are being dragged from their homes and detained. You see this and think this is something that can't be happening in America, but it is.”

— Mike Waters, Resident and Indivisible member (Chicago Tribune)

“I'm here to request support for creating a welcoming, ICE-free zone in La Grange. This request is to protect all individuals while here in La Grange from the witnessed, excessive violations of brutality the federal government — ICE civil enforcement actions.”

— Jim Longino, Resident (Chicago Tribune)

“It seems there's overwhelming community support for this ordinance, so I'm supportive of it.”

— Lou Gale, Trustee (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The La Grange Village Board will now work with staff to implement the new Welcoming Community ordinance, which is expected to take effect in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

La Grange's adoption of the Welcoming Community ordinance reflects a growing movement among Chicago-area municipalities to push back against federal immigration enforcement efforts and protect immigrant residents. These local policies aim to limit cooperation with ICE and make communities more inclusive, even as the Trump administration continues its aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants.