SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A suburban Republican lawmaker has filed a resolution for Illinois to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rep. Patrick Sheehan (R-Lockport) told WAND News that ICE officers and their families deserve to be protected from harassment and assault.

The Illinois TRUST Act bans local law enforcement from helping immigration officers, but Sheehan said lawmakers need to do everything they can to support these agents.

"ICE officer assaults are up 830%," Sheehan said. "That is an astonishing number. A lot of it has to do with the rhetoric and hate towards law enforcement."

Sheehan and the House Republican Caucus believe ICE plays a critical role in protecting public safety by apprehending people violating federal immigration laws. He said the First Amendment guarantees the right for people to peacefully protest, but some advocates have gone too far.

"We want to make people safe," Sheehan said. "We don't want these things turning into violent rallies or anything that is going to offend other people or drag other people into it."

This comes as Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) has filed a bill to ban law enforcement from wearing masks and neck gaiters while interacting with the public. At least 15 House Democrats hope to fine police officers wearing masks. Law enforcement could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for multiple offenses. House Bill 4086 would also allow the state to put money from fines into a special fund to provide immigrant family services.

Hernandez told WAND News Americans should have confidence that those presenting themselves as law enforcement officers are who they say they are and have proper authorization.

"We've seen too many examples across the country of masked individuals with no identification carrying firearms and stoking fear in communities," Hernandez said. "This isn't about making it more difficult for law enforcement officers to do their jobs - it's about making sure we safeguard trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve."

Sheehan said ICE agents wear masks, sunglasses and hats to avoid being targeted at home by dangerous people. He stressed that it is a common practice for any tactical or undercover officers, regardless of their department.

"Our police that are masked are masked for a reason," Sheehan said. "It's to protect their identity and protect their families. Our officers are clearly marked with name, star, identification, etc."

Sheehan hopes to talk with Democratic colleagues about the importance of masking for officers when they return to session this fall.

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