Illinois mayor declares ‘civil emergency’ after out-of-town protesters threaten violence amid anti-ICE unrest
In a significant response to escalating threats against local government, Broadview, Illinois Mayor Katrina Thompson declared a “civil emergency” on Monday. This declaration comes in light of serious and credible bomb and death threats aimed at her and her staff, particularly following a tense protest that sought to disrupt a scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. The decision to move the meeting online was made after law enforcement warned of potential violence, especially after a group of out-of-town protesters attempted to storm Village Hall the previous Friday. Mayor Thompson emphasized her commitment to maintaining the safety of both the village officials and residents, stating, “I will not allow threats of violence or intimidation to disrupt the essential functions of our government.”
The backdrop to this emergency declaration includes a series of alarming incidents, such as a bomb threat made against Village Hall on September 4 and a death threat directed at Thompson on October 13. The situation escalated dramatically during a protest outside the federal immigration processing center in Broadview, where clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement resulted in 21 arrests and injuries to multiple officers. As tensions have heightened, the village has implemented restrictions on protest activities near the ICE facility, limiting them to designated times and areas. This executive order has drawn criticism from civil liberties organizations like the ACLU of Illinois, which argue that such measures infringe upon constitutional rights.
Under the civil emergency declaration, Mayor Thompson has the authority to implement security measures and conduct public meetings online without needing prior approval from the Board of Trustees. This move aims to ensure continuity of governance amid ongoing threats. Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills reiterated the importance of safety, stating that while the right to protest is respected, any form of violence or intimidation is unacceptable. The civil emergency will remain in effect until Thompson determines that the threats have diminished, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by local governments in maintaining order and safety in the face of rising tensions surrounding immigration policies and protests.
Mayor Katrina Thompson of
Broadview, Illinois
declared a “civil emergency” Monday, citing “serious and credible bomb and death threats” and warnings of attempts to disrupt village government after out-of-town protesters threatened to storm Village Hall and “shut down” the local board meeting.
Village officials told Fox News the meeting, originally scheduled in person, was moved online after law enforcement warned of possible disruptions tied to Friday’s unrest outside the federal immigration processing center in Broadview.
Officials said
the FBI
has been notified and is investigating multiple threats against the mayor and her staff.
“I will not allow threats of violence or intimidation to disrupt the essential functions of our government,” Thompson said. “I will not allow our staff or residents to be placed in harm’s way.”
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In a statement released Monday, the village said the emergency order followed a series of escalating threats — including a September 4
telephone bomb threat
targeting Village Hall and an October 13 death threat against Thompson.
The situation intensified Friday when a group of non-resident protesters tried to storm Village Hall and vowed to disrupt Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting, according to Broadview Police.
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During the same day’s protests near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, officials said
21 people were arrested
after demonstrators clashed with Broadview Police, Illinois State Police, and Cook County Sheriff’s deputies. Two Broadview officers were injured, along with a state trooper and a sheriff’s deputy.
“The order is designed to preserve the
continuity of governance
in light of imminent threats against the lives of village officials and public property,” Thompson said in the village’s statement.
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The emergency declaration allows Thompson to move public meetings online and take security measures without board approval. Written public comments for Monday’s meeting were being accepted by Village Clerk Kevin McGrier and read into the record.
Tensions have grown since Thompson signed an
executive order
last month restricting where and when demonstrations can occur near the ICE facility — limiting protests to a designated area between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Civil-liberties groups, including the ACLU of Illinois, have criticized the order as unconstitutional.
“The safety of our officers and residents has to come first,” Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills said. “We respect the right to demonstrate, but violence and threats cross the line.”
The civil emergency will remain in effect until Thompson determines that the threats to officials and property have subsided.
Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
