Illinois Lawmakers Divided Over Partial Government Shutdown, ICE Tactics, and DHS Funding

Disagreements over immigration enforcement and border security policies continue to fuel the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A partial government shutdown that began on Saturday has Illinois lawmakers divided over issues related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Democrats are calling for increased oversight and transparency of immigration officers, while Republicans argue the funding is needed to maintain border security and public safety. The shutdown has left around 90% of DHS employees working without pay, including ICE agents, FEMA workers, and TSA agents.

Why it matters

The ongoing partial government shutdown highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress over immigration enforcement policies and the role of federal agencies like ICE. The debate over ICE tactics and DHS funding could have significant implications for border security, public safety, and the livelihoods of thousands of federal workers.

The details

Democrats are demanding increased oversight of immigration officers, including requirements for agent identification and the removal of masks. They argue this is necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement operations. Republicans, however, have not agreed to these changes, stating that the funding is needed to maintain border security and public safety. The shutdown has left around 90% of DHS employees, including ICE agents, FEMA workers, and TSA agents, working without pay.

  • The partial government shutdown began on Saturday, February 17, 2026.
  • The last full government shutdown happened in October 2025 and lasted more than a month, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
  • Congress remains in recess until February 23, 2026, leaving no immediate resolution in sight.

The players

Eric Sorensen

Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Darin LaHood

Republican U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal executive department responsible for public security, including border security, disaster response, and counterterrorism.

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What they’re saying

“We need the ICE Agents with their masks off, every ICE Agent has their name on it, every ICE agent has a camera pointing in front to make sure that they're abiding by the government and the law.”

— Eric Sorensen, Democratic U.S. Representative (25newsnow.com)

“I have real concern about those officers if they're not allowed to wear the mask or appropriate head covering, their families are going to be targeted, their children are going to be targeted, that will be another issue we will have to deal with.”

— Darin LaHood, Republican U.S. Representative (25newsnow.com)

What’s next

Congress is scheduled to return from recess on February 23, 2026, which could potentially lead to a resolution to the partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

The ongoing partial government shutdown highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress over immigration enforcement policies and the role of federal agencies like ICE. The debate over ICE tactics and DHS funding could have significant implications for border security, public safety, and the livelihoods of thousands of federal workers, underscoring the need for bipartisan cooperation to find a solution.