SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is spearheading legislation to ensure federal immigration detention centers cannot be constructed, operated or located within 1,500 feet of protected locations – such as schools, day care centers, places of worship and private residences.

“Protecting areas where children and families frequent from federal government overreach is imperative for community safety,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Through this measure, Illinois is sending a clear message that we will not stand for federal immigration operations compromising our residents’ quality of life.”

House Bill 5024 comes in light of federal immigration activity and enforcement that began in late 2025 in Broadview – a community Lightford represents – where Illinois’ only immigration detention center is located. Residents and immigrants detained in the Broadview Processing Center recounted inhumane conditions, poor ventilation and cramped cells, as well as civil rights violations, such as a lack of access to lawyers, leading to a plethora of protests led by community members outside the facility.

Lightford’s proposal would prohibit the federal government from operating a new immigration detention center within 1,500 feet of certain locations, including schools, day care centers, cemeteries, public parks, public housing, private residences and places of worship, ensuring the chaos and trauma residents across Broadview faced during Operation Midway Blitz does not occur across other Illinois communities.

“As the federal government continues their attempts to ensue pandemonium in residential and community areas, lawmakers in Illinois are going to take a stand to protect our constituents,” said Lightford. “Our communities are meant to provide us with feelings of support and security, but we cannot ensure the safety of our residents if the federal government can come into our neighborhoods and place detention centers on any available corner.”

House Bill 5024 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.