Protecting Chicago
On August 30, 2025, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed Executive Order 2025-6 Establishing the Protecting Chicago Initiative.
Protecting Chicago aims to make available information and resources that allow every resident—regardless of background, immigration status, or neighborhood—to live with safety, dignity, and peace of mind. This Initiative is Chicago’s commitment to promote the well-being of our communities and to safeguard the rights of all Chicagoans in response to threats arising from federal actions and inactions.
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights developed digital resources as part of its Family Preparedness Campaign to provide immigrant, refugee, and mixed-status families with tools and resources to prepare in case of family separation due to federal immigration enforcement.
The campaign’s guiding principles are: Stay Informed, Be Prepared, and Stay Connected.
The Mayor’s Office of Homelessness developed these resources for those looking for shelter or housing support.
The Mayor’s Office of Reentry developed these resources for returning residents
If you’re planning a protest that will require street closures, information about the permitting process can be found here:
If you want to learn how to access city resources and take an active role in your community, you can download our Introductory Guide to City Services. The Guide includes steps to engage with various city departments and access youth, health, social, infrastructure, and other city services.
Support Hotlines
For Responding to Possible Federal Law Enforcement Deployment in Chicago
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network
(855-435-7693
Report ICE sightings and arrests, seek help with immigration & other legal services. Spanish/English, 7am–9pm.
First Defense Legal Aid Help Not Jail Hotline
(1-800-LAW-REP4 / 800-529-7374)
Trauma-informed hotline to find civil rights counsel for police misconduct, report federal law enforcement activity, connect to stationhouse defense & get referrals to community & legal resources. English/Spanish, 24/7/365.
Cook County Public Defender's Arrest Hotline
(844-817-4448)
Free lawyers to represent people in police custody in Chicago or any other city or town in Cook County. 24/7/365.
National Lawyers Guild-Chicago
(872-4NLG-CHI / 872-465-4244)
Free lawyers to represent people arrested during protests or for political activity while in police custody or in court.
GI Rights Hotline
(877-447-4487)
Legal support for military members and families.
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline
(877-863-6338)
Hotline that provides crisis safety planning and referrals to emergency housing and support services to survivors of domestic violence in Illinois. Assistance available in 240 languages. Free, confidential and available 24/7/365.
*Please note: While the City of Chicago strives to include links to external websites containing helpful information, we are not responsible for the accuracy of that information or the content of those websites. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the City of Chicago. Users are responsible for exercising their own discretion and diligence when visiting external links, calling external hotlines, or seeking legal advice.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Protecting Chicago Executive Order 2025-6 DENOUNCING ANY ATTEMPTS TO DEPLOY THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND/OR THE NATIONAL GUARD AND/OR MILITARIZED CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN CHICAGO AND TO ESTABLISH THE PROTECTING CHICAGO INITIATIVE
- Affirms Chicago’s rejection of the federal militarization of law enforcement and civil immigration enforcement.
- Reaffirms that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) remains under local control and that CPD officers are prohibited from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement or joint policing operations with the military or National Guard. The order also requires CPD officers to wear uniforms so residents can distinguish CPD officers from federal law enforcement/U.S. Armed Forces.
- Urges federal agents and military personnel operating in Chicago to wear visible identification, use body cameras, and avoid disguises—to protect public safety and trust. The Order makes clear that the City will use every available legal and legislative tool to counter coordinated efforts from the federal government that violate Chicagoans’ rights—especially the rights to protest and to due process.
- Establishes the Protecting Chicago Initiative to coordinate the work of designated City Departments to safeguard the rights and well-being of all Chicagoans in response to threats from federal actions or inaction.
It makes clear that Chicago will oppose efforts by the U.S. military, National Guard, or federal immigration agents to police our communities in ways that violate our rights.
The Mayor has demanded that President Trump and his administration stand down from any attempt to send the military or National Guard into Chicago. The City will fight back through every legal and legislative tool available.
No. CPD officers cannot take part in civil immigration enforcement or joint civilian patrols with the military. Under local and state law, CPD members cannot act as immigration agents.
While the City of Chicago does not regulate federal law enforcement, the order urges federal agents and military personnel operating in Chicago to wear body cameras, show visible ID, and not disguise their identity. The order also requires CPD officers to wear uniforms so residents can distinguish CPD officers from federal law enforcement/U.S. Armed Forces.
What is the Protecting Chicago Initiative?
It’s a City program that:
- Shares clear information about your rights if immigration enforcement happens near schools, hospitals, shelters, or places of worship.
- Keeps residents informed about how federal policies and budget cuts affect health care, housing, education, and safety.
- Works with community, faith, and business partners to identify and address community needs.
- Demands transparency from the Department of Homeland Security through regular Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
- Partners with consulates to make sure residents get “know your rights” resources.
The Protecting Chicago Initiative will coordinate the work of designated City Departments to safeguard the rights and well-being of all Chicagoans in response to threats from federal actions or inaction. Its work will include:
Sharing Accessible Information
Every Chicago resident, regardless of immigration status, has certain constitutional rights. The City of Chicago makes available know your rights resources regarding immigration enforcement, interactions with federal law enforcement, and the right to protest.
The City is in the process of developing information about how federal legislation and the federal budget will affect the rights and well-being of Chicago residents.
For information about how CPD's Public Safety agencies respond to a call from service from or on behalf of federal agents engaged in civil immigration enforcement, please see below:
OEMC Response to Federal Agent Calls for Service.
CPD Responding to Incidents Involving Citizenship Status.
City and Community Resources (see above)
Community Coordination and Convenings
Protecting Chicago Convenings bring together leaders from government and civil society to showcase the City’s work to strengthen community safety and resilience, and to identify partners who can expand and reinforce these efforts. The convenings are designed to improve coordination between the City and its partners so that our collective work is responsive to the needs of the moment.
Resources developed through these Convenings will be posted here at a later date. Resources currently in development include a Chicago Community Asset Map.
Transparency and Accountability
The City will regularly file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to obtain data on Chicago-based enforcement actions.