* WCIA…

Illinois’ Secretary of State is warning that ICE agents are once again operating on the state’s streets, and he is condemning their use of vehicles without license plates.

Alexi Giannoulias posted a public service announcement on social media about this phenomenon. He also included footage recorded by a passerby that showed an SUV missing its license plate, only to be immediately confronted by the agent inside.

“Let me be absolutely clear. Tampering with, removing, obscuring or operating a vehicle without the required license plates is illegal in Illinois,” Giannoulias said. “That applies to everyone. No one is above the law.”

He encouraged people who see vehicles with missing, altered or obscured license plates to report it to the Plate Watch Hotline at 312-814-1730 or by emailing platewatch@ilsos.gov.

The full video is here.

* I asked Giannoulias’ press person what happens after someone calls the Plate Watch Hotline…

Every report submitted to the Secretary of State’s Plate Watch Hotline is reviewed by Secretary of State Police and our General Counsel’s office, which conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is evidence of a violation involving an Illinois license plate or registration.

When a violation is substantiated, the office takes appropriate action based on the circumstances. For example, when rental vehicles were found to have swapped or altered Illinois license plates, the Secretary of State revoked those registrations and notified the rental companies that such conduct violates Illinois law and could subject them to liability.

If Secretary of State Police and the General Counsel determine that a federal vehicle, including one operated by ICE, is violating Illinois law, the findings and supporting evidence are referred to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for potential enforcement as part of the state’s ongoing civil litigation.

* As for that last part about the attorney general’s civil litigation role, Giannoulias’ spokesperson referred me to this press release from earlier this year…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the cooperation of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and the City of Chicago have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino among other high-ranking officials.

The lawsuit alleges that federal agents engaged in unlawful activities within Illinois, including swapping or altering license plates. Illinois law strictly prohibits masking, swapping or altering license plates on any vehicle registered in the state. The lawsuit asserts the state’s right to enforce its own laws and protect public safety against unlawful federal conduct within its borders.

“This lawsuit sends a clear message: Illinois will not stand by while federal agents disregard our laws and compromise public safety,” said Secretary Giannoulias. “We have a fundamental responsibility to protect our residents, and we intend to uphold that authority. Tampering with license plates is illegal and dangerous, and we will hold anyone accountable who breaks our laws and engages in these practices. We are committed to transparency, accountability and keeping our roads safe for everyone.”

That lawsuit is here. The feds filed a motion to dismiss in March. The state replied in May.