Politics

The bill, which was sent to Pritzker's desk by the state legislature last month, restricts immigration enforcement efforts outside of state courthouses and allows plaintiffs to sue for damages.

It also prohibits schools from threatening to disclose actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status of an employee, student or a person associated with a student or employee to an external party.

"With my signature today, we are protecting people and institutions that belong here in Illinois. Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task," said Governor Pritzker, a Democrat, who some consider a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The law went into immediate effect and is in response to an aggressive immigration agenda launched by the Republican President Donald Trump targeting U.S. cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.