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West Chicago Police's Approach to ICE Enforcement
Below is my ChatGPT-generated, Laura-approved summary of our conversation with West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury.
Our biggest takeaways:
1) Angry people driving out of—or into—their driveways during a parade is one of Fleury’s bigger fears about bringing them back;
2) Despite requests, ICE has provided no list to West Chicago of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.—LF
Key Topics Covered — Parade Conversation
* The chief’s background organizing large-scale events and how that shapes his safety expectations.
* Why parades create unique risks: long footprint, many uncontrolled access points, vehicle hazards, and crowd unpredictability.
* Staffing limits at the department and how manpower affects what can be safely covered.
* The need for clear participant check-in, assigned slots, and no last-minute additions.
* Insurance and alcohol-use requirements for certain participant groups (e.g., riders).
* Past incidents the chief referenced—such as animal-related injuries and drivers bypassing closures—that inform current caution.
* The role of trained volunteers (CERT/ESDA) for staging, barricades, and first aid.
* The importance of confirming dates early so the department can adjust schedules and avoid staffing conflicts.
* A collaborative but safety-first tone: supportive of the event if proper controls and planning are in place.
Key Topics Covered — ICE Conversation
1. Training & Department Procedures (how are West Chicago police officers trained to react to ICE?)
* Officers document ICE encounters and provide warnings to federal agents who are violating city resolutions that city property cannot be used from civil immigration enforcement.
* City-wide directive: any staff member encountering ICE is to alert the highest-ranking police member.
* Officers respond when residents report unknown individuals who may be ICE. Residents can always call 911 if they spot a suspicious vehicle and responders can let them know if the vehicle is a concern.
* Local law enforcement vehicles can be distinguished from ICE vehicles by their license plates, which have letters “MP” on side.
2. The TRUST Act / “CARES Act” Confusion
* Fleury frequently refers to “CARES,” but the policy he describes aligns with:
* Illinois TRUST Act (2017)
* Way Forward Act (2021)
* Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s guidance restricting cooperation with civil immigration enforcement
* Key restriction: local police cannot assist ICE in civil immigration enforcement (e.g., information sharing, detainers).
3. Chief Fleury’s Central Claims
* Communication restrictions by the state have created serious safety issues.
* ICE is operating without sufficient local intelligence, making operations chaotic.
* Local police are “caught in the middle”—unable to help ICE but unable to obstruct.
* Public misidentifies undercover units, fire vehicles, or unmarked cars as ICE.
* Community trust is eroding due to visible tensions and crowd clashes.
* ICE has provided no list of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.
4. Examples Chief Fleury Shares
* ICE use of spray during Thorntons gas station encounter.
* Allegations that an undercover (non-ICE) vehicle was rammed by someone who assumed they were ICE.
* A local person was chased and harassed in an apartment complex because he was mistaken for ICE.
* Prior town hall meetings where residents expressed support for deporting violent offenders.
5. Community Reporting Options
* Tip411 system.
* Calling 911 for verification of suspicious vehicles or activity.
6. Perimeter Problems
* State law prevents local police from creating a barrier around ICE operations.
* According to Fleury, this increases likelihood of clashes between ICE and crowds.
7. Transparency Concerns
* Chief Fleury says ICE has given zero information to West Chicago about:
* who is being arrested
* whether arrests are criminal or civil
* what charges people have
* Only one confirmed case: an individual at Thorntons who filed a police report. He was a U.S. citizen.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chief Colin Fleury
02:56 Chief Fleury’s Background and Career Path
05:51 Challenges of Organizing Parades
14:47 Police Department’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
36:23 Challenges of Communication with ICE
39:13 Public Safety and Trust Issues
40:47 The Impact of ICE Operations on Local Communities
Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Laura Finch & Liuan HuskaBelow is my ChatGPT-generated, Laura-approved summary of our conversation with West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury.
Our biggest takeaways:
1) Angry people driving out of—or into—their driveways during a parade is one of Fleury’s bigger fears about bringing them back;
2) Despite requests, ICE has provided no list to West Chicago of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.—LF
Key Topics Covered — Parade Conversation
* The chief’s background organizing large-scale events and how that shapes his safety expectations.
* Why parades create unique risks: long footprint, many uncontrolled access points, vehicle hazards, and crowd unpredictability.
* Staffing limits at the department and how manpower affects what can be safely covered.
* The need for clear participant check-in, assigned slots, and no last-minute additions.
* Insurance and alcohol-use requirements for certain participant groups (e.g., riders).
* Past incidents the chief referenced—such as animal-related injuries and drivers bypassing closures—that inform current caution.
* The role of trained volunteers (CERT/ESDA) for staging, barricades, and first aid.
* The importance of confirming dates early so the department can adjust schedules and avoid staffing conflicts.
* A collaborative but safety-first tone: supportive of the event if proper controls and planning are in place.
Key Topics Covered — ICE Conversation
1. Training & Department Procedures (how are West Chicago police officers trained to react to ICE?)
* Officers document ICE encounters and provide warnings to federal agents who are violating city resolutions that city property cannot be used from civil immigration enforcement.
* City-wide directive: any staff member encountering ICE is to alert the highest-ranking police member.
* Officers respond when residents report unknown individuals who may be ICE. Residents can always call 911 if they spot a suspicious vehicle and responders can let them know if the vehicle is a concern.
* Local law enforcement vehicles can be distinguished from ICE vehicles by their license plates, which have letters “MP” on side.
2. The TRUST Act / “CARES Act” Confusion
* Fleury frequently refers to “CARES,” but the policy he describes aligns with:
* Illinois TRUST Act (2017)
* Way Forward Act (2021)
* Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s guidance restricting cooperation with civil immigration enforcement
* Key restriction: local police cannot assist ICE in civil immigration enforcement (e.g., information sharing, detainers).
3. Chief Fleury’s Central Claims
* Communication restrictions by the state have created serious safety issues.
* ICE is operating without sufficient local intelligence, making operations chaotic.
* Local police are “caught in the middle”—unable to help ICE but unable to obstruct.
* Public misidentifies undercover units, fire vehicles, or unmarked cars as ICE.
* Community trust is eroding due to visible tensions and crowd clashes.
* ICE has provided no list of who they are arresting, why, or whether targets have criminal histories.
4. Examples Chief Fleury Shares
* ICE use of spray during Thorntons gas station encounter.
* Allegations that an undercover (non-ICE) vehicle was rammed by someone who assumed they were ICE.
* A local person was chased and harassed in an apartment complex because he was mistaken for ICE.
* Prior town hall meetings where residents expressed support for deporting violent offenders.
5. Community Reporting Options
* Tip411 system.
* Calling 911 for verification of suspicious vehicles or activity.
6. Perimeter Problems
* State law prevents local police from creating a barrier around ICE operations.
* According to Fleury, this increases likelihood of clashes between ICE and crowds.
7. Transparency Concerns
* Chief Fleury says ICE has given zero information to West Chicago about:
* who is being arrested
* whether arrests are criminal or civil
* what charges people have
* Only one confirmed case: an individual at Thorntons who filed a police report. He was a U.S. citizen.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chief Colin Fleury
02:56 Chief Fleury’s Background and Career Path
05:51 Challenges of Organizing Parades
14:47 Police Department’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
36:23 Challenges of Communication with ICE
39:13 Public Safety and Trust Issues
40:47 The Impact of ICE Operations on Local Communities
Get full access to 60185 Podcast at 60185.substack.com/subscribe