Republican lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have introduced a bill to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, a law that has been in place since 2017. The proposed legislation, House Bill 1317, was filed on January 14, 2025, by Representative Christopher “C.D.” Davidsmeyer (R – 100) and has garnered support from several co-sponsors, including Norine Hammond (R – 94) and John Cabello (R – 90).
The Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by then-Governor Bruce Rauner (R) on August 28, 2017, established significant protections for immigrant communities in the state. Its primary purpose was to limit local law enforcement’s participation in federal immigration enforcement activities.
Key provisions of the TRUST Act include:
- Prohibiting law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status or ICE detainers
- Restricting the sharing of information with federal immigration authorities
- Limiting access to local facilities and resources for immigration enforcement purposes
The law was enacted to foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, with the goal of enhancing public safety by encouraging all residents to report crimes and cooperate with police investigations without fear of deportation.
Supporters of the TRUST Act argued that it would make Illinois safer by ensuring that undocumented immigrants could interact with local authorities without risking deportation. The law received backing from various immigrant rights organizations and some law enforcement agencies.
However, critics of the TRUST Act argue that it has turned Illinois into a “sanctuary state” and hampers cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies. They contend that repealing the act would allow for better enforcement of immigration laws and improve public safety.
The introduction of this repeal bill comes amid ongoing national debates about immigration policy and the role of state and local governments in federal immigration enforcement. As the legislative process unfolds, it is likely to spark intense discussions about the balance between public safety, community trust, and immigration enforcement in Illinois.
