Cook County Ordinance 11-O-73, adopted 2011 and strengthened 2017, prohibits the Sheriff and county agencies from honoring federal ICE detainer requests or using county resources for immigration enforcement.
Cook County was an early sanctuary jurisdiction. Ordinance 11-O-73, the Cook County Policy for Responding to ICE Detainers, bars Sheriff's Office personnel from holding any individual past their release date based on a federal civil immigration detainer. Cook County does not allow ICE access to inmates in its custody for immigration purposes, does not share inmate-release information with ICE, and prohibits county employees from inquiring about immigration status. The 2017 strengthening reinforced these limits during federal enforcement escalation. Illinois passed the TRUST Act (2017) and Way Forward Act (2021) extending similar protections statewide. Cook County's policy applies countywide regardless of municipal opt-in or opt-out.
County employees who violate sanctuary protections face internal discipline. Residents harmed by violations may file civil-rights complaints. ICE retains independent enforcement authority but receives no county cooperation.
See how Cook County's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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