* National Lawyers Guild Chicago…
Beginning on October 2, 2025 a number of state and local law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the Broadview Detention Center for the stated purpose of being a buffer between protesters and federal law enforcement, for protesters’ safety. Since that time, NLG Chicago has witnessed significant abuses of protesters’ civil rights by the Illinois State Police (ISP) as well as instances of violence by ISP officers against protesters and NLG Legal Observers. Additionally, when protesters have been taken into custody, our volunteer attorneys have faced barriers to accessing clients.
After issuing statements about these abuses, NLG Chicago was invited to meet with the Governor’s Office and ISP. NLG Chicago agreed to the meeting, which occurred on October 23.
Our goal in meeting with ISP and the Governor’s Office was to share what we observed regarding the use of violence by ISP officers and ensure that NLG Legal Observers and volunteer attorneys can safely do their work, including legally observing law enforcement activity and meeting with detained clients. NLG Chicago representatives were clear that our role is as a volunteer legal support organization and we do not negotiate for or speak on behalf of any protester or group of protesters.
During the meeting, representatives from NLG Chicago called on Illinois State Police to:
• End the use of force against protesters engaged in activity protected by the First Amendment, including but not limited to ending the practice of baton strikes to the head and neck.
• Provide adequate warning, direction, and time for protesters to respond when issuing dispersal orders.
• Ensure that ISP officers are trained regarding First Amendment activity, and to respect the lawful role that NLG Legal Observers play in protecting such activity.
• Ensure that ISP officers do not impede attorneys’ access to detained clients and that we receive accurate information regarding clients in custody.
• Work with other stakeholders to address the curfew on First Amendment activity along with the protest zone that had been put in place.
The ISP and the governor were both taking online heat over the way the Broadview protests were being handled.
* From the governor’s office…
The Governor’s Office appreciate the opportunity to meet with National Lawyers Guild Chicago and other community leaders to discuss our shared goals of protecting public safety and First Amendment rights near the Broadview ICE facility. These conversations are also an opportunity to discuss any concerns around the activities Unified Command, which we take seriously and review closely to see if there are actions we can take to address them. The Governor’s Office will continue meeting with community leaders to facilitate open lines of communication that help maintain public safety, peaceful protest, and the protection of constitutional rights. Community members who have questions or concerned are also encouraged to reach out the community liaison Jason Hernandez at 312-590-9143.
* ISP…
At the request of the Broadview Police Department, the Unified Command was established to coordinate public safety measures in Broadview around the ICE facility. The Village of Broadview set up designated areas, less than 200 feet from the ICE facility and directly within the sight and sound of protestors to ensure compliance with the First Amendment, where people can safely exercise their rights.
ISP adheres to use-of-force training, policies, and operations that are predicated upon using the lowest level of force, or no force, as is necessary to enforce Illinois law and protect public safety. Those who act illegally by obstructing roadways, disobeying lawful commands, and failure to comply with curfew requirements, may face arrest. Law enforcement officers in Broadview will continue giving loud, clear, consistent, and repeated directions and commands to crowds and provide individuals numerous opportunities to comply with the law.
The ISP then followed up with this…
Rich - there were zero arrests at Broadview this weekend and the Unified Command appreciates the open dialogue and communication with peaceful protestors.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Tuesday, Oct 28, 25 @ 8:37 am:
Glad a bunch of volunteer left wing lawyers could educate the state police about the laws it enforces and/or violates, depending on circumstances and public blowback. That’s value delivered to the taxpayers.
- Robert E - Tuesday, Oct 28, 25 @ 9:44 am:
During the Friday morning Oct 17th anti-ICE protest/rally - ISP told protestors to go in the street, then a few mins later they used batons to clear the street.
the curfew is also a clear 1st amendment violation - any American should be allowed to walk down any side walk and say anything they want. the curfew is portrayed as some sort of Broadview Mayor ordinance, but the mayor obviously is in collusion with Pritzker
- Occasionally Moderated - Tuesday, Oct 28, 25 @ 10:26 am:
==including but not limited to ending the practice of baton strikes to the head and neck.==
A baton strike to the head or neck is also known as “deadly force”. Already prohibited by ISP general policy, crowd control policy, and the law unless deadly force is jusified. Prohibitions against these kind of baton strikes have been in the academy training that every trooper takes since at least the 80’s. The trained an drilled baton strikes are designed to prevent these kind of strikes, and even the appearance of strikes targeted to neck and above. This is probably the most video taped environment in the state right now- including the body worn cameras that all the troopers wear.
==Provide adequate warning, direction, and time for protesters to respond when issuing dispersal orders.==
A basic tenet of all of the ISP crowd control training I have recieved over the 30 years I worked there. Designed to be understood by the crowd in loud and chaotic circumstances. Drilled into troopers heads. Drilled into supervisors heads. A basic tenet of all ISP training. An officer cannot expect the public to do what you want them to do if you don’t clearly tell them what to do.
==Ensure that ISP officers are trained regarding First Amendment activity, and to respect the lawful role that NLG Legal Observers play in protecting such activity.==
All law enforcement officers in Illinois are required to complete training in civil rights and constitutional use of law enforcement authority in order to maintain their police certification. That is part of the Safety Act reforms. ISP goes far and beyond that training for all troopers because they know their officers will be involved in these kind of events throughout their career.
==Ensure that ISP officers do not impede attorneys’ access to detained clients and that we receive accurate information regarding clients in custody.==
Covered rather thoroughly in state law. Covered extensively in Safety Act.
==Work with other stakeholders to address the curfew on First Amendment activity along with the protest zone that had been put in place.==
I’m sure the ISP will adhere to the rules made by legislative entities.
Of course there are challenges to all parties involved in events like this. Seems to me that our ISP has performed pretty admirably. They are the meat in the sandwich. When they got sent to this event I knew they would be criticised no matter how good of a job they did. It comes with the territory.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Oct 28, 25 @ 10:51 am:
@Occasionally Moderated- It sounds like you were a State Trooper, is my assumption based on your post correct?
I agree, they were going to get criticized no matter what. My experience with ISP has been that they are very professional and well trained.
My thought when they were sent is that they would be a buffer between the protestors and ICE/CBP. I don’t think other see it that way but I did/do.