ICE Updates in our Community

Written By Will Guzzardi

Dear Neighbor,

The month of May has seen heightened ICE activity across the Chicagoland area following “Midway Blitz,” though in a different form than what our communities experienced earlier this year. Recently, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) confirmed the presence of immigration enforcement agents both inside and outside the following four Cook County courthouses: 555 W. Harrison, Maywood, 111th Street, and Grand and Central.

These tactics undermine due process for individuals attending court proceedings in good faith and create fear that discourages people from accessing essential public institutions. 

They also appear to violate recent state law. At the close of last year, the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act was signed into law. This legislation establishes protections for those without citizenship at or near hospitals, courthouses, and daycares, specifically prohibiting civil immigration arrests at or near courthouses, while also providing civil penalties for violations and attorney fee recovery.

Additionally, there have been recent verified reports of ICE activity in Belmont Cragin and Albany Park. If you see ICE activity in your neighborhood or at a courthouse, or if you or a loved one need support, please call the ICIRR Family Support Hotline at 855-435-7693. 

You can also stay updated on verified ICE activity by following the Northwest Side Rapid Response Team and Far Northwest Side Rapid Response Team.

I also wanted to share further information from Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez. Please note that individuals have the option for a virtual court appearance, as the Circuit Court of Cook County continues to conduct remote court proceedings through Zoom. Meeting IDs and passcodes for each virtual courtroom are available by court location on the court's website at cookcountycourtil.gov.  

For concerns regarding state agencies or to connect to other resources and services, please reach out to my office by calling (773) 853-2570 or sending an email to will@repguzzardi.com. 

All my best,

Will

Summer EBT

Summer EBT is back to help eligible families buy food during the summer months. Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120. Most eligible children will receive benefits automatically, while some households may need to apply.  

Visit abe.illinois.gov/sebtPortal to: 

  • Use the screener to check eligibility 

  • Find out if you need to apply 

  • Get the latest Summer EBT updates

District Council Meetings

District Councils were created to improve policing and public safety throughout Chicago. District Councils were elected in February 2023 to serve a four-year term, and each consist of 3 councilors: a chair, a community engagement coordinator, and a nominating member. 

The next DC meetings for police districts within the 39th Illinois House District are as follows:

  • 14th District: Thursday, June 4, 6:00 pm at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W Blackhawk St.

  • 16th District: Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 pm at Hiawatha Park, 8029 W Forest Preserve Ave.

  • 17th District: Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 pm at Roosevelt High School, 3436 W Wilson Ave.

  • 25th District: Thursday, June 25, 6:00 pm at Amundsen Park, 6200 W Bloomingdale Ave.

Apply to Fill the Vacancy on 25th District Council

The deadline to apply for the vacancy on the 25th District Council has been extended to Sunday, June 21. Candidates looking to fill the 25th District Council vacancy must fill out this application form to be considered for the role. You must also provide one letter of support and a resume to supplement your application. Submit all materials by emailing them to DC25@cityofchicago.org. Learn more at bit.ly/25DCVacancyInfo.

CLCF Career & Opportunity Fair

The Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation is hosting a Career & Opportunity Fair at mHUB, 1623 W Fulton on Wednesday, June 3 from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Build meaningful connections with Latino leaders and professionals in Chicago! Register here on Eventbrite. This event is more than a traditional resource fair. This is a space where you can:

  • Engage with employers offering internships and career opportunities

  • Participate in hands-on workshops like resume development (bring a copy of your resume!), interview preparation, and a credit building workshop

  • Build meaningful connections with Latino leaders and professionals across industries

  • Get plugged into a broader network of organizations, training programs, and career pathways

  • Access resources that support your long-term growth, from financial literacy to entrepreneurship.

Will Guzzardi
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