DOJ sues Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul over law protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals
CHICAGO (WLS) — The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul over an Illinois law that aims to protect immigrants at courthouses, hospitals and day care centers.
Pritzker signed the law earlier this month.
The law bars immigration enforcement inside or within 1,000 feet of a courthouse building. It also requires hospitals, public universities and community colleges and day care facilities to develop plans and procedures in case federal immigration agents show up at their establishments.
The governor said it provides protection against what he calls unjust practices by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The DOJ’s lawsuit alleges the measure is unconstitutional.
Monday, the DOJ said it has filed a lawsuit against the governor and attorney general over the protections.
“The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like Illinois’ that threaten massive punitive liability and compromise the safety of our officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
At the time of the bill signing, Pritzker said he’s not worried if his bill is legally challenged.
“No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is a not just a good law, but a great law,” Pritzker said.
“Governor Pritzker has always said that if someone commits a violent crime and is in the country illegally, then they do not belong in Illinois and need to be held accountable. However, the Trump Administration’s masked agents are not targeting the ‘worst of the worst’ – they are harassing and detaining law-abiding U.S. citizens and Black and Brown people at daycares, hospitals, and courthouses.
“This new law reflects our belief that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or authority. Unlike the Trump Administration, Illinois is protecting Constitutional rights in our state,” Pritzker’s office said in a statement.
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