Crete Detention Center Update: Local Residents Remain Strong in their Opposition

By Emily Zucker Burns
JCUA Director of Organizing 

There’s a lot of activity to report about the proposal to build a large immigrant detention center in the village of Crete, about a one-hour drive south of  Chicago’s Loop.

On Monday, Jan. 23 more than 100 Crete residents  attended the village board meeting to get answers from the mayor and village trustees on the status of the proposed immigration detention center and to voice their opposition.

• Kadner: A display of democracy on detention camp plan

News later emerged that a portion of the proposed site for the detention center is located in a TIF district, which further challenges the claims that the facility will generate tax revenue that will benefit the town:

• TIF district could cut boost from Crete detention center

Congressmen Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Luis Gutierrez met last with with ICE officials in Washington to express their opposition for the construction of the detention center. As a result ICE has committed to holding a hearing on the issue after the Primary Elections:

• Federal officials to hold hearings in Crete on proposed immigration detention center

Residents of Crete and the surrounding communities remain strong in their efforts to oppose the detention center. The group will be holding a second public meeting prior to the Primary Elections.

About these ads