SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sen. Chapin Rose says Illinois needs to take the handcuffs off police when it comes to working with federal immigration enforcement. The Mahomet Republican is working with the father of Katie Abraham to ensure Illinoisans are protected from undocumented immigrants with a criminal record.

Rose and Joe Abraham told WAND News that Katie would be alive today if Illinois law enforcement were allowed to coordinate with ICE agents.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Julio Cucul-Bol last May for the January 2025 hit-and-run accident that killed Katie in Urbana. Federal authorities also charged Cucul-Bol with using fake citizenship documents that he gave police during his arrest.

Rose has filed a plan to amend the Illinois TRUST Act and remove restrictions that currently limit communication, information sharing and coordination between local and federal authorities.

"This would apply when federal law enforcement comes with a valid, enforceable federal warrant," Rose said Thursday. "That's critical. This is not a question of, 'hey, we just picked up some guy off the street.' This is a valid, enforceable federal warrant. It's a big deal."

The senator also hopes to repeal a 2025 law that ensures community spaces like hospitals, courthouses, universities and daycare centers remain safe for all residents regardless of immigration status. That law requires a 1,000-foot safety zone around courthouses, including sidewalks, parkways and nearby streets.

Joe Abraham said public safety should come first, and law enforcement agencies should be able to work together to stop dangerous criminals before more innocent lives are lost.

"No one is asking from a federal perspective that local and state law enforcement become ICE agents," Joe Abraham said. "No one is asking that. All they're asking is to work with us a little bit to coordinate so we're not out in the communities."

Yet, the Illinois Bivens Act allows people to file civil lawsuits against police who violate their constitutional rights while engaging in civil immigration enforcement. That includes civil damages for false imprisonment, $10,000 in statutory damages and potential contempt of court charges.

"Together, we're sending a message to Donald Trump, Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino and anyone else seeking to terrorize our people," Gov. JB Pritzker said Dec. 9. "Your divisiveness and your brutality are not welcome here."

Rose's bill has not been assigned to a Senate committee. Although it is unlikely that Senate Bill 4196 will move forward due to the Democratic supermajority. 

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