Residents rally after Rockford courthouse installed temporary security fence amid ICE rumors

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) —  A new, temporary security fence erected around the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Friday has drawn attention amid reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are deploying soon to the Chicago area.

Residents are making their voices heard at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, at 327 S Church Street, by protesting federal actions in Rockford and Chicago, Saturday evening.

Rockford’s Mayor, Tom McNamara, is also making his presence felt by speaking at the No Kings No Troops Rally.

The mayor said this is “all performative by Trump” and called President Trump a “liar.”

Former State Representative Litesa Wallace spoke at the protest as well.

The City of Rockford confirmed the installation of the security fence late Friday.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois said that temporary fencing has been installed near the Stanley J. Roszkowski Courthouse to help those who need to access the courthouse to do so safely.

“The Courthouse remains open and accessible. The District Court Clerk’s Office will be open during normal business hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and in-person proceedings will continue as scheduled by the assigned judge.  In Rockford, the designated Freedom of Speech and Expression area is the public space located at the corner of South Church and Cedar Streets. The General Services Administration maintains this area and may require special permitting.”

Chief Judge Virginia Kendall said in the statement that “providing access to justice is at the heart of the Court’s mission and critical for our democracy. The United States Marshals Service is responsible for safety at the Roszkowski Courthouse and will work to ensure the safety and security of those who seek assistance from the Court. Maintaining access to the courthouse for anyone who seeks redress remains a top priority of the court. It is a core principle to promote our rule of law,”

The spokesperson said those arrested and subject to deportation proceedings will not be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois.

“The Court has not been informed as to where those individuals will be processed administratively.  Any individual charged with violating a federal criminal law will be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois,” the statement concludes.

Rockford City Council member Jonathan Logemann said city leaders have also not been informed of the federal government’s plans.

“I haven’t really heard too much from the federal government. And I think that communication link needs to be strengthened,” the 2nd Ward Alderman said in an interview with Eyewitness News.

“Certainly the City of Rockford is putting out information to its residents as quickly, as, as we know it. But as a local official in Rockford, I would certainly like more information about what’s going on with the federal government’s presence here in Rockford.”

Federal officials went through a process of obtaining a permit for the fence, according to Logemann. That permit is good through September 13th.

“That’s really the extent of what the City of Rockford knows right now,” Logemann said.

“There’s efforts to establish [communication with the federal government] in a more concrete manner. But right now it’s — and even earlier this morning and into last night — the reasons are just, unclear as to why the fence was erected last night, which is, again, troubling as a Rockford in a local elected official.”