Illinois Creates New “Safe Zones” Law Blocking Immigration Arrests at Courthouses, Hospitals, and Colleges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — December 9, 2025 — Illinois has enacted a sweeping new law that prohibits federal immigration officers from carrying out civil arrests at or near a wide range of public facilities, marking one of the state’s strongest protections to date for undocumented immigrants.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure into law on Tuesday after lawmakers advanced it in response to years of reported ICE activity in and around Chicago-area courthouses and hospitals. The law was championed by immigrant-rights coalitions, Democratic legislators, and legal advocates who argued that enforcement actions in sensitive areas created fear that discouraged people from seeking medical care, attending court hearings, or accessing education.

Under the law, civil immigration arrests are banned within or near several protected “safe zone” categories, including:

Courthouses and their surrounding property
Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities
Public and private colleges and universities
Early childhood programs and day-care centers
Schools and adult education centers

The law also allows individuals who are illegally detained within these areas to take legal action against offending agencies, with potential damages of up to $10,000.

Supporters say the legislation ensures essential public services remain accessible to all residents, regardless of immigration status. Pritzker stated the law “reinforces Illinois’ commitment to protecting immigrant families and maintaining trust in our public institutions.”

Opponents, including some Republican lawmakers and legal analysts, warn that the policy may face constitutional challenges, arguing that state restrictions could conflict with federal immigration authority. Still, Illinois officials maintain that the state has the right to regulate access and safety at its own public facilities.

The law takes effect immediately, joining a series of other immigration-friendly statutes Illinois has passed over the last several years as it positions itself as a national leader in statewide sanctuary protections.