Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has issued an executive order that clarifies how county government will respond to increased federal immigration enforcement actions.

The order creates restrictions on the use of county property for immigration enforcement staging areas, establishes guidelines for immigration enforcement actions on county property, and provides guidance on referring residents to legal resources and temporary visas available to crime victims.

“I am deeply concerned about reports I am receiving about federal immigration activity occurring locally and tactics causing fear throughout the community,” said Bertino-Tarrant in a press release.

“The steps we are taking today are aimed at ensuring our residents voices are heard by providing resources and actions that fall under the county jurisdiction. All people should be safe in their neighborhoods and supported in their community.”

The four-part Executive Order, officially titled Executive Order 25-01, includes two directives to Will County offices and departments that set guidelines on federal immigration enforcement actions on county property. This includes prohibiting the use of County-owned properties under the control of the Executive’ Office, including buildings and lots, to serve as staging areas for enforcement operations.

The Executive Order also requires that federal agents must present a warrant before conducting immigration enforcement operations on County-owned property under the control of the Executive’s Office, while also removing face coverings and ensuring continuous visibility of a badge.

The Executive Order cites increased concerns from residents throughout the county about the scale and methods of federal immigration enforcement, including reports of due process violations. The order aims to provide clarity on how residents can continue to access Will County services without fear of harassment or violation of legal rights.

Bertino-Tarrant also announced a partnership with the Illinois Commission for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) as the official referral entity of the County for residents who are concerned about their legal rights regarding federal immigration enforcement.

County personnel will direct residents who express concerns about infringements on their rights to the ICIRR Family Support Network Hotline (855-435-7693).

“Families deserve to live their lives without fear, no matter where they reside or where they are from,” said Jose Vera, Executive Director of the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project and ICIRR Member, in the release.

“Communities across Illinois have felt the pain and hurt that has come in the wake of this escalation by the administration. We commend the leadership that Will County is taking in this moment in history to ensure all residents feel safe accessing local services and are connected to the resources they need in this unprecedented time.”

Will County offices and departments that are engaged with law enforcement and judicial activities have also been directed to increase internal awareness of federal U-Visas and T-Visas, which offer temporary immigration status to victims or witnesses of crimes.

The Executive Order has been granted under the authority of Illinois statutes, which grants the County Executive authority to coordinate and direct administrative and management functions of the county government. The order is effective immediately.

Bertino-Tarrant’s order follows comments by County Board Member Destinee Ortiz, D-Romeoville, who has spoken at consecutive board meetings about the county needing to do whatever it can to protect its residents from ICE raids.

“At yesterday’s (October 16) county board meeting, I said it was time to act — and today, our community’s persistence made that happen,” she said in an emailed statement and on her Facebook page.

“This executive order is a direct result of people power. When we organize, we win.”

Ortiz had submitted a resolution at the board Legislative Committee she chairs to restrict ICE’s actions in Will County, which she told Farmers Weekly Review were “out of control.”

Asked by Farmers Weekly Review if her order were a response to Ortiz’s stalled resolution, Bertino-Tarrant said she had been working on it for a while.

“… And have been having conversations with staff, community members, and elected officials to assess the best course of action. The County Board attempted to pass a proclamation. I wanted to ensure that when we did something it was more than symbolic. We needed actionable items that assist our residents.

The resolution passed out of the committee 4-3 with Democrats approving, but Board Speaker Joe Van Duyne, D-Wilmington, said he held the resolution at her request to work out some of the stronger language that both Democrats and Republicans had issue with.

In response to a request by Farmers Weekly Review for a comment, Van Duyne replied:

“I’m proud of our county executive for releasing this executive order today. Our residents should not be threatened while using our public Will County buildings for services we provide. There is a process that many immigrants have used to become legal citizens.

“We acknowledge that there are those who have not come to this country legally. But it is important that federal agents follow the same standards that our local law enforcement officers must follow when they make arrests.“

Also contacted was board Minority Leader Jim Richmond, R-Mokena. After reviewing her order, he said, speaking for the County Board’s Republican Caucus:

“We swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution allows for immigration enforcement. “Federal law supersedes any state law or executive order.”

Asked if he were concerned with the manner in which immigration laws were being enforced, Richmond said, “That’s for the courts to decide. All of us at one time or another have been detained, maybe by TSA with a pat-down search.

“They’re just doing their jobs.”

Asked for a comment from the Will County Sheriff’s Office, spokesman Kevin Hedemark emailed this response to Farmers Weekly Review:

“The safety and well-being of our community remain the Will County Sheriff’s Office’s highest priority. We want to assure our residents that we uphold this commitment while following the guidance set forth in the Illinois TRUST Act.

“The County Executive’s Office issued Executive Order 25-01 on October 17, 2025. Pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/2-5009, the County Executive has the authority to issue executive orders. This executive order provides direction to county department heads and employees under the control of the County Executive’s Office with regard to certain procedures related to federal immigration enforcement.

“As we have done in the past — and will continue to do moving forward — the Will County Sheriff’s Office does not participate in or assist federal authorities with the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Our focus will always remain on protecting and serving all members of our community with fairness, respect, and integrity.

“Any further questions should be directed to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Farmers Weekly Review Editor Nick Reiher contributed to this story.

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COUNTY OF WILL

Executive Order 25-01

WHEREAS, Will County leadership is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and human rights of all residents, regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or national origin; and

WHEREAS, residents throughout Will County have expressed concerns about the scale and methods of federal immigration enforcement, following reports of due process violations; and

WHEREAS, reports that citizens and legal residents of the United State of America are being detained without charges during immigration enforcement has led to an increased number of Will County residents concerned about leaving their homes due to fear of harassment; and

WHEREAS, Will County has worked to ensure residents trust in government and local law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the County of Will is committed to protecting the constitutional rights and equal protection of the law for residents and ensuring that they have equal access to government services; and

WHEREAS, the unauthorized use of the County of Will’s resources, property, or personnel to facilitate immigration enforcement actions interferes with the County’s authority over, and its use of, its own resources, property, and personnel.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, under the authority granted by 55 ILCS 5/2-5009, do hereby direct Will County offices and departments to take the following actions in regards to federal immigration enforcement. In the event of a conflict between this order and state and/or federal law, the state and/or federal law will control.

1) Prohibition of Use of County-Owned Property for Federal Immigration Enforcement Staging Areas

No County-owned and controlled building, parking lot, vacant lot, or garage under the County Executive’s control shall be used as a staging area, processing location, or operations base for federal immigration enforcement. A “staging area” shall be defined as an area that is used to assemble, mobilize, and deploy vehicles, equipment, or materials, and related personnel, for the purpose of carrying out immigration enforcement operations.

County personnel who become aware of the attempted or actual use of a County-owned and controlled building, parking lot, vacant lot, or garage under the County Executive’s control as a staging area shall immediately report to their supervisor, who will communicate it to the County Executive’s office.

This order does not apply to property that is subject to an existing lease or concession agreement to which the County is a party. This resolution is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, interfere with any such lease or agreement.

Nothing in this order shall be construed as restricting or interfering with the execution of lawful judicial warrants or the enforcement of criminal law, nor as limiting the rights of any person or entity under state or federal law.

This order does not prohibit the lawful use of County-owned and controlled property for purposes other than a staging area, processing location, or operations base for immigration enforcement, nor does it restrict any person or entity from carrying out functions unrelated to those purposes on such property.

2) Requirements for Federal Immigration Enforcement Action on County Property

Enforcement of federal immigration enforcement action on County-owned property under the control of the County Executive’s office should follow the following two requirements:

• A warrant shall be presented to the office’s security and/or reception office. County personnel who are presented with a warrant should immediately contact their office’s supervisor.
• Federal officials shall remove face coverings and ensure continuous visibility of a badge issued by their respective agency during immigration enforcement operations.

3) Support Hotline

The County of Will is partnering with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights on a support hotline. County personnel are directed to refer residents whose family has been affected by federal immigration enforcement to contact their hotline. The hotline number is 855-435-7693.

4) Increased Awareness of U-Visa and T-Visa Availability for Victims of Crimes

Offices and departments that are engaged with law enforcement and judicial activities shall take steps to increase awareness among their personnel of U-Visas and T-Visas for immigrants who are victims and/or witnesses of crimes.

EFFECTIVE THIS 17^TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

Will County Executive