|
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.
|
|
