PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A member of the Illinois House of Representatives urged people within Central Illinois to continue to document and track reported sightings of Immigration and Customs agents within the area.

State Rep. Sharon Chung, a Bloomington Democrat, issued a statement on Thursday after she said she received “confirmed reports of ICE presence in Bloomington.”

“We have received confirmed reports of ICE presence in Bloomington, as well as several unconfirmed allegations of ICE sightings. Thank you to those who documented and shared these sightings, keeping our community informed and aware. I urge you to continue to document any potential ICE activity you see, while prioritizing your own personal safety.”

Chung said she was a proud daughter of immigrants and stood with others to support the “constitutionally protected rights of immigrants in Bloomington-Normal and throughout our state.

“We own businesses, work and participate in our community; we raise our children to be kind and compassionate,” she said. “We are not a demographic to be used as a political ploy for the Trump Administration or anyone else.”

Last month, Chung-backed House Bill 1312 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker. The measure barred ICE from targeting hospitals, public higher education institutions, courthouses and daycares, she said. Additionally, the bill allows for lawsuits against ICE agents impeding someone’s rights. 

“I vehemently condemn the violence committed by ICE officers and vow to continue to fight for
everyone in our community— no matter their immigration status,” she said.