The Department of Justice has initiated legal proceedings against the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and Cook County, challenging their sanctuary city policies. The lawsuit alleges that these local and state laws are in conflict with federal immigration law.
Federal prosecutors have highlighted Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Illinois’ Trust Act as key points of contention. These laws restrict the Chicago Police Department from engaging in immigration enforcement activities and from sharing information about individuals' immigration status.
According to the DOJ, these local statutes are unconstitutional and represent a deliberate attempt to impede the federal government's enforcement of immigration laws.
In response to this development, several professors from Northwestern Law are available for commentary. Nadav Shoked, a professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law with expertise in property law, local government law, and American legal history, is available for interviews via Zoom. Daniel Rodriguez, who holds the Harold Washington Professorship at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and specializes in administrative law among other areas, will be available for interviews starting February 7th. Heidi Kitrosser, also a professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and an expert on constitutional law concerning federal government secrecy and free speech law, will similarly be available starting February 7th.
To arrange interviews with professors Shoked, Rodriguez, or Kitrosser, interested parties can contact Shanice Harris at shanice.harris@northwestern.edu.