UNIFIED COMMAND IN BROADVIEW ISSUES ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES AS IT WORKS TO PROTECT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2025
October 14, 2025
BROADVIEW – The Unified Command, consisting of the Broadview Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois State Police, the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is implementing additional measures to protect both public safety—including the safety of Broadview residents and businesses—and the First Amendment rights of protesters around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
NEW SAFETY MEASURES IN BROADVIEW
The Unified Command’s mission is to ensure the safe expression of First Amendment rights and protect the safety, property, and access of everyone in the community. Over the past three weeks of protests, approximately 2,500 individuals have gathered outside the ICE facility. The vast majority of the activity during the protests has been peaceful, safe, and lawful. In order to continue to protect public safety and First Amendment rights, the Unified Command is implementing the following measures in the Broadview area:
- Sidewalk Closures on 25th Avenue: In response to public safety concerns, the Village of Broadview issued an Executive Order (Issued October 12, 2025) which will temporarily close the sidewalks along the east and west sides of 25th Avenue between Fillmore Street and Lexington Street. 25th Avenue is a four-lane road that flows directly off the interstate with heavy truck, car, and bus traffic. Some individuals attending the protests have congregated along the curtilage and attempted to cross 25th Avenue, resulting in numerous near-misses of both protestors, law enforcement, and other pedestrians. The flow of emergency medical and fire services has also been hampered. The sidewalk closures will address those issues in a safe manner for all.
- Protection of Private Property: The Unified Command requests that protesters continue to respect the rights of those living and doing business in Broadview. Some protestors have congregated on public and private property outside of the designated protest areas, which disrupts access for local businesses, private residents, and emergency personnel. Individuals who refuse to leave posted, private property “No Trespassing” areas may be subject to the Illinois Criminal Code, specifically Criminal Trespass to Property.
- Maintaining Designated Areas: The designated protest and media areas, which are within sight and sound of the ICE facility, will remain accessible (see map below). Approximately 500 protestors gathered peacefully and safely in these areas on Saturday October 11, 2025 without incident and without risk to the public or law enforcement.
UNIFIED COMMAND AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
Law enforcement officers on duty at Broadview will continue working to give clear and straightforward directions and commands to crowds, along with numerous opportunities for individuals to comply, in keeping with de-escalation best practices and state and federal law. Law enforcement has shown and will continue to show discipline, patience, and restraint despite instances of resistance to simple commands to stay out of the street to avoid traffic. To date, there have only been 35 arrests of individuals in connection with protests in Broadview around the facility being used by ICE.
To prevent behavior that puts everyone at risk, such as refusing to get out of the street or inciting disorderly conduct, officers have and will make arrests should individuals break the law. For reference, most of the infractions fall under the following state statutes:
Illinois Vehicle Code - 625 ILCS 5
Sec. 11-1416. Obstructing person in highways.
Sec. 11-1007. Pedestrians walking on highways.
Sec. 11-203. Obedience to police officers
Illinois Criminal Code of 2012 - 720 ILCS 5
Sec. 25-1. Mob action.
Sec. 31-1. Resisting or obstructing a peace officer, firefighter, or correctional institution employee.
Law enforcement will transport arrested individuals to either the Broadview Police Department at 2350 S. 25th Avenue in Broadview or the Cook County Jail at 2700 S. California Avenue in Chicago.
INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT
When individuals approach officers with the Unified Command seeking access to the ICE facility or to contact detainees, officers call the ICE communication center. Officers provide the information to ICE and relay the response from ICE directly to the individuals making the request. The officers are acting as intermediaries in an effort to avoid any misunderstandings that could lead the situation to devolve into escalating conflict. Unified Command officers do not make determinations on requests, but simply relay the information.
The Unified Command thanks community members and advocacy groups for their cooperation and communication as these temporary measures remain in place for public safety. Individuals who have questions or concerns can reach out to the Unified Command community liaison Jason Hernandez at Jason.hernandez@ccsheriff.org. Media inquiries should continue to be directed to press liaisons for the Unified Command.
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