“Karina’s Bill”, a piece of legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly in January 2025, is aimed at enhancing protections for victims of domestic violence. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies confiscate firearms from individuals subject to an order of protection within 96 hours of its issuance. This measure addresses a critical gap in existing laws, ensuring that alleged abusers do not retain access to firearms during the period when an order of protection is in effect.
Listed below is a FAQ on the processes and requirements of how firearms are to be returned after an Order of Protection (OOP) expires. Answers are referenced directly from ILGA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
*Note: “Respondent” refers to the owner of the firearms that are confiscated. All mentions of “firearm” below also include “firearm parts” which could be assembled to create an operable firearm.
• What happens to a respondent’s firearms after they’re confiscated?
They are held by the law enforcement agency that took possession of the items for safekeeping.1 Law enforcement will also confiscate any Firearm Owner’s Identification Card or Concealed Carry License in possession of the respondent, and shall immediately mail it to Illinois State Police Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Office for safekeeping.2
• How do respondents reclaim their firearms?
The respondent may contact the law enforcement agency safekeeping their firearm to request them back. Law enforcement shall comply only if:
the order of protection for the victim has expired AND
the gun owner is legally allowed to own firearms.3
It is the responsibility of the respondent to request their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card or Concealed Carry License back by contacting the Illinois State Police Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Office.4
• How will law enforcement return confiscated firearms?
Law enforcement will attempt to contact the respondent to reclaim their firearm but will pursue other options if the respondent:
fails to respond to more than three requests to retrieve the firearms OR
If retrieval is unsuccessful, the court, upon petition from the appropriate law enforcement agency and notice to the respondent at their last known address, may:
use the firearm for training purposes OR
use the firearms for any other application as deemed appropriate OR
turn the firearms over to a third party who is lawfully eligible to possess firearms and does not reside with the respondent.7
Additionally, a third party who is lawfully eligible to claim the firearms for the respondent, but only provided that:
the third party must not reside with the respondent AND
the respondent must not have access to the firearm AND
the third party must not transfer the firearm to anyone else AND
the third party will maintain control and possession of the firearm until otherwise ordered by the court AND
the third party will be subject to criminal penalties for transferring the firearms AND
• How long does it take for a firearm to be returned?
Once a firearm return request has been filed, the police department shall return their firearms to them within 14 days (however, the statute currently does not specify in what way firearms will be returned).5
• What happens when firearms are claimed to be the property of another person while confiscated?
They may petition the court to have the firearms returned to them with proper notice to the respondent. At a hearing, if the court determines the petitioner to be the lawful owner, the firearms will be returned to them only if:
the lawful owner agrees to store the firearm in a manner that does not provide access or control of the firearm to the respondent AND
the lawful owner does not transfer the firearm to the respondent or anyone who resides with them AND
the lawful owner does not reside with the respondent AND
the respondent does not have access to the location in which the lawful owner intends to keep the firearms AND
the lawful owner will maintain control and possession of the firearm unless otherwise ordered by the court.9
If you have still have any unanswered questions, please reach out to our office.
*Note: This resource is not a comprehensive list of all federal and state legislators. If you would like the complete list of state legislators, please visit: https://ilga.gov/, or for federal legislators, visit https://www.congress.gov/members.
Click on each city to view their contact information which includes: website, phone number(s), email, social media accounts, city councils and board commissioners, park and school districts.
– Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis – U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee – U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation – U.S. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Springfield: (217) 528-6124 Chicago: (312) 886-3506 Carbondale: (618) 677-7000 Rock Island: (309) 606-7060 Belleville: (618) 722-7070 Washington D.C.: (202) 224-2854
– Committee on Homeland Security – Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement – Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability – Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations – Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Chicago District Office: (773) 799-8219 DuPage District Office: (630) 520-9494
– Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party – Committee On Oversight And Government Reform House Permanent Select – Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services
Schaumburg Office: (847) 413-1959 Washington D.C. Office: (202) 225-3711
– Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy (Ranking Member) – Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion – Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
Washington D.C.: (202) 225-3515 Aurora District Office: (630) 585-7672 Huntley District Office: (630) 585-7672
– House Committee on Appropriations – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs – Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Joliet Office: (630) 549-2190 Washington D.C.: (202) 225-2976
As federal immigration raids have been initiated in Illinois, State Rep. Maura Hirschauer is encouraging residents to understand their rights under Illinois state law. This resource page offers trusted information from Illinois law and community organizations. This page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. It includes important resources to help you understand your rights, along with links to trusted partners and organizations for additional support.
Everyone in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, has constitutional rights and protections. The information here is designed to help you stay informed about your rights, prepare for potential encounters with ICE, and navigate the challenges of mass deportation threats. While fear tactics are being used to create anxiety within our community, this page serves as a resource to help you stay informed and prepared with up-to-date information.
In Illinois, law enforcement is largely prohibited from participating in immigration enforcement. This protects not only undocumented individuals but also U.S. citizens who may be concerned about their immigrant family members.
Key Protections under Illinois Law:
The TRUST Act Illinois law enforcement agencies cannot engage in immigration enforcement operations. This helps build trust between communities and law enforcement.
The VOICES Act Officers must follow procedures to protect immigrants who are victims of violent crime or human trafficking and who have assisted law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting certain types of crimes.
The Way Forward Act (2021) This law strengthens protections by authorizing the Illinois Attorney General to investigate and enforce compliance with the TRUST Act and VOICES Act.
What Illinois Local Law Enforcement Can and Can’t Do:
Cannot stop, arrest, search, or detain individuals solely based on citizenship or immigration status.
Cannot generally assist with federal civil immigration enforcement operations.
Can only make arrests based on a criminal warrant or probable cause that a criminal offense has occurred.
Guardianship documents allow you to legally designate a trusted adult to care for your children if you are unable to do so. These documents can specify who will make decisions about your children’s education, healthcare, and daily needs. To learn more please visit the Illinois Legal Aid: Getting Guardianship of a child website.
Know Your Rights: Health Care and Health Insurance
You have the right to healthcare regardless of your immigration status. Some states require hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. If you are asked for your immigration status, you do not have to provide it, and a healthcare provider cannot refuse to treat you because you declined to share your immigration status information. For additional information, please visit the National Immigration Law Center website.
Know Your Rights: If You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration
You can call the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline number at 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get information on your case’s status.
ICE Requirements for Conducting Warrantless Arrests and Vehicle Stops
The National Immigrant Justice Center discussed the Castanon-Nava Settlement Agreement. According to the Castanon-Nava Settlement Agreement, ICE is required to follow certain guidelines when making arrests without a judicial warrant, especially in the “Chicago area of responsibility,” which includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Kentucky, until May 2025. These requirements include:
Violations and Remedies: If ICE fails to properly document the arrest, it is considered a violation of policy, which may lead to the individual’s release. Additionally, repeated violations can result in further legal action.
Mandatory Documentation: ICE must complete Form I-213, explaining why the warrantless arrest took place, detailing the location (such as a business, public area, or residence), and whether the arrested individual was an employee of the company or a resident of the household.
Explanation of the Arrest: ICE must clearly explain why they believed the individual would flee if a judicial warrant were issued later. They must also identify themselves as ICE officers and provide a documented explanation for the arrest.
Mientras se inician redadas federales de inmigración en Illinois, la representante estatal Maura Hirschauer está alentando a los residentes a comprender sus derechos según la ley estatal de Illinois. Esta página de recursos ofrece información confiable de organizaciones comunitarias y legales de Illinois. Esta página tiene fines educativos e informativos únicamente y no pretende ser asesoramiento legal. Incluye recursos importantes para ayudarle a comprender sus derechos, junto con enlaces a socios y organizaciones confiables para obtener apoyo adicional.
Todos en los EE. UU., independientemente de su estatus migratorio, tienen derechos y protecciones constitucionales. La información aquí está diseñada para ayudarlo a mantenerse informado sobre sus derechos, prepararse para posibles encuentros con ICE y afrontar los desafíos de las amenazas de deportación masiva. Si bien se utilizan tácticas de miedo para crear ansiedad dentro de nuestra comunidad, esta página sirve como recurso para ayudarlo a mantenerse informado y preparado con información actualizada.
En Illinois, a las autoridades policiales se les prohíbe en gran medida participar en la aplicación de la ley de inmigración. Esto protege no sólo a las personas indocumentadas sino también a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que puedan estar preocupados por sus familiares inmigrantes.
Protecciones clave bajo la ley de Illinois:
La Ley De Confianza Las agencias policiales de Illinois no pueden participar en operaciones de control de inmigración. Esto ayuda a generar confianza entre las comunidades y las autoridades.
La Ley Voces Los agentes deben seguir procedimientos para proteger a los inmigrantes que son víctimas de delitos violentos o trata de personas y que han ayudado a las autoridades a investigar o procesar ciertos tipos de delitos.
Ley Del Camino A Seguir (2021) Esta ley fortalece las protecciones al autorizar al Fiscal General de Illinois a investigar y hacer cumplir la Ley TRUST y la Ley VOICES.
Lo que las autoridades locales de Illinois pueden y no pueden hacer:
Nopuede detener, arrestar, registrar o detener a personas únicamente por su ciudadanía o estatus migratorio.
Nopuede generalmente ayudar con las operaciones federales de control de inmigración civil.
Sólo se pueden realizar arrestos con base en una orden penal o causa probable de que se haya cometido un delito penal.
ACTUALIZACIÓN DE NOTICIAS : Ampliación de la Deportación Acelerada
“El 21 de enero, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional amplió el uso de un proceso llamado “expulsión acelerada”, poniendo a los miembros indocumentados de la comunidad en mayor riesgo de ser sometidos a un proceso de deportación rápida. Estos cambios entrarán en vigor a partir del 21 de enero de 2025. Se trata de una situación en rápida evolución que cambiará en base a las acciones de la administración presidencial.”(National Immigration Law Center, 2025)
Crear un Plan de Seguridad
Inicie un plan familiar y hable con sus hijos al respecto para asegurarse de que todos sepan qué hacer en caso de una emergencia.
Los documentos de tutela le permiten designar legalmente a un adulto de confianza para que cuide a sus hijos si usted no puede hacerlo. Estos documentos pueden especificar quién tomará decisiones sobre la educación, la atención médica y las necesidades diarias de sus hijos. Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web Illinois Legal Aid: Getting Guardianship of a Child .
Conozca Sus Derechos: Atencion Medica y Seguro Medico
Usted tiene derecho a recibir atención médica independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Algunos estados exigen que los hospitales pregunten a los pacientes sobre su situación migratoria. Si le preguntan su estatus migratorio, no tiene que proporcionarlo y un proveedor de atención médica no puede negarse a tratarlo porque usted se negó a compartir su información sobre su estatus migratorio. Para obtener información adicional, visite el sitio web de National Immigration Law Center.
Conozca Sus Derechos: Si es Arrestado o Detenido por Inmigracion
Localizador de detenidos en línea de ICE (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/homePage.do) para encontrar un adulto que esté bajo custodia de inmigración. O llame a la oficina local de ICE (https://www.ice.gov/contact/ero). Asegúrese de tener anotado el número de registro de extranjero, si lo tiene.
Puede llamar a la línea directa de la Oficina Ejecutiva para la Revisión de Inmigración (EOIR) al 1-800-898-7180 (gratuito) las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana para obtener información sobre el estado de su caso.
Requisitos de ICE para Realizar Arrestos y Detenciones de Vehículos sin Orden Judicial
Requisitos de ICE para Realizar Arrestos y Detenciones de Vehículos sin Orden Judicial
Según el acuerdo de conciliación Castanon-Nava, ICE está obligado a cumplir ciertos requisitos al realizar arrestos sin orden judicial, especialmente en la “área de responsabilidad de Chicago”, que incluye Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas y Kentucky hasta mayo de 2025. Estos requisitos incluyen:
Documentación Obligatoria: ICE debe completar el formulario I-213, especificando por qué se realizó el arresto sin orden judicial, detallando la ubicación (como un negocio, área pública o residencia) y si la persona arrestada era empleado de la empresa o residente de la vivienda.
Explicación del Arresto: ICE debe explicar claramente la razón por la cual creían que la persona podría huir si se emitiera una orden judicial más tarde. Además, deben identificarse como oficiales de ICE y proporcionar una justificación documentada del arresto.
Violaciones y Remedios: Si ICE no documenta correctamente el arresto, se considera una violación de la política, lo que puede llevar a la liberación de la persona detenida. Además, los violaciones repetidas pueden resultar en más medidas legales.
Donde puedo encontrar ayuda legal gratuita ó de bajo Costo?
Visite la página de Asistencia Legal de The Resurrection Project para encontrar un proveedor de servicios legales de inmigración gratuitos cerca de usted.
Batavia, Ill. – As communities brace for the threat of federal immigration raids, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer is encouraging residents to know their rights under Illinois state law intended to check unlawful harassment and racial profiling.
“I care deeply about the safety and well-being of my constituents; and I will do all that I can to protect the hard-working people and families of the 49th district,” said Hirschauer. “The Trump Administration is threatening to target our immigrant communities here in Illinois with raids and deportation. As we move forward these next four years, it’s important that our immigrant communities know their rights, and my office is here to offer support. Illinoisans believe in taking care of their neighbors; it is the Midwest way, and it is now more important than ever.”
Rep. Hirschauer is reminding residents of their rights under Illinois state law, including the Illinois Trust Act and the VOICES Act, which protects all residents from warrantless arrest in a variety of safe spaces, including churches, schools, hospitals, and group homes.
Additionally, immigrant-rights experts are reminding residents to:
Refuse to open the door to their home unless presented with a warrant signed by a judge.
Exercise the right to remain silent and not answer questions.
Do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney.
If detained, get a lawyer trained in immigration law. Call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights helpline at 1-855-435-7693 to connect with experts in immigration law.
Hirschauer Recuerda Residentes de sus Derechos Mientras se Acercan las Incursiones Contra Inmigrantes
Batavia, Ill. – Mientras las comunidades se preparan por las amenazas de incursiones de oficiales federales de inmigracion, el/la rep. estatal [name] motiva a sus residentes para reconocer sus derechos bajo la ley del estado de Illinois que intenta detener el acoso injustificado o la persecución racial.
“Me importa profundamente la seguridad y bienestar de mis constituyentes y voy hacer todo lo que pueda para proteger a las personas y familias trabajadoras del distrito 49,” dijo Hirschauer. “La administración de Trump está amenazando nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes aquí en Illinois con incursiones y deportaciones. En lo que avanzamos estos próximos 4 años, es importante que nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes conozcan sus derechos y mi oficina estará aquí para ofrecer soporte. Los residentes de Illinois creen en cuidar a sus vecinos; es la manera medio oeste y es más importante ahora que nunca.”
Hirschauer recuerda a sus residentes de sus derechos bajo la ley del estado de Illinois, incluso la Ley de Trust y la ley VOICES de Illinois, que protegen a los residentes de la detención injustificada en espacios seguros como iglesias, escuelas, hospitales, y hogares comunes.
También, expertos de derechos de inmigrantes recuerda residentes a:
Dejar de abrir la puerta a su hogar a menos que se presente una orden judicial firmada por un juez.
Ejercer el derecho a permanecer en silencio y no responder a las preguntas.
No firmar nada sin hablar con un abogado.
Si es arrestado, obtenga un abogado cualificado en la ley de inmigracion. Llame a la línea de asistencia de la Coalición de Derechos para Inmigrantes y Refugiados 1-855-435-7693 para conectarse con expertos en la ley de inmigracion.
This initiative by the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) seeks to advance health justice and strengthen public health in the state.
Purpose: The NOFO seeks proposals from eligible organizations to participate in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Program.
Goals: The program aims to increase the capacity of organizations to provide culturally and/or medically competent gender-affirming care for TGD/LGBTQ+ populations across Illinois. It also involves recruiting, training, and managing regional Healthcare Navigation Specialists.
Funding Categories: Capacity Building (Continuous Funding or One-Time Funding) and Healthcare Navigation Specialists.
Funding Amount: Approximately $1.5 million across IDHS-identified regions in Illinois.
Important Dates:
Bidders’ Conference: Friday, February 9, 2024
Deadline for submitting questions: Friday, February 23, 2024 Deadline to apply: Friday, March 1, 2024
Chicago Area LECET offers THREE scholarship opportunities for dependents of Union Laborers!
Academic-Based: 10, 2000$ scholarships awarded biased on Academics, Extracurriculars, and an Essay!
Random Drawing: 10, 2000$ scholarships randomly awarded to the dependents of of members in good standing of a Chicago Laborer’s District Council Affiliated Union.
Death/Disability: This Scholarship is only available to dependents of members in good standing who have been permanently disabled or killed as result of an accident on the job.
