Broadview, Illinois, Declares Civil Emergency Amid Protest Threats

On Monday, Mayor Katrina Thompson of Broadview, Illinois, raised alarms about efforts to disrupt local government. This follows a situation where out-of-town protesters invaded village hall and issued threats to “shut down” the local board, including serious bomb and death threats.

Village officials stated that the originally planned in-person meeting had to be moved online due to warnings from law enforcement about potential disruptions stemming from a nearby riot that occurred on Friday at a federal immigration processing center.

It’s worth noting that the FBI has been notified and is currently investigating several threats directed at the mayor and her team. “We will not allow violence or intimidation to disrupt critical government functions,” Thompson emphasized, adding that they are determined to keep both staff and residents safe.

The village announced that the emergency order was initiated after various escalating threats were reported. These included a bomb threat made via telephone aimed at village hall on September 4 and a death threat against Thompson on October 13.

The situation intensified last Friday when non-resident protesters attempted to storm village hall, threatening to disrupt the board meeting scheduled for Monday.

At a recent protest near the ICE facility, 21 arrests were made as clashes erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement, including local police and state troopers. There were, unfortunately, injuries among officers as well.

“This order is designed to protect the governance of our village in light of the imminent threats to public safety,” Thompson noted in a statement.

The state of emergency gives Thompson the authority to conduct public meetings virtually and implement safety measures without requiring board approval. Written comments for Monday’s meeting were accepted and read by Village Clerk Kevin McGrier.

Rising tensions have been fueled by an executive order signed by Thompson that restricts when and where protests can occur near ICE facilities, limiting them to specific areas during certain hours. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Illinois, have criticized this as an unconstitutional move.

Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills reaffirmed the importance of safety for officers and residents. He said, “We respect the right to demonstrate, but violence and intimidation cross the line.” The civil emergency will remain in effect until the perceived threats to officials or property diminish.