Council members spent the bulk of their Dec. 3 meeting debating whether to convert the city’s existing practices and a recent ICE-free resolution into a formal “welcoming city” ordinance. Council members Anthony Dixon and [Councilwoman] Alfaro introduced the item as a public discussion to consider codifying language access, civil engagement, and other supports for immigrant residents.

The meeting turned contentious when Councilman Murrah Ortiz argued a formal ordinance could put Elgin on a federal “list” and draw harsher federal enforcement, urging the council to postpone the discussion indefinitely. Ortiz said he feared that a named ordinance would expand the “surface area of attention” for federal immigration authorities and could bring unintended consequences to residents. He moved to postpone; that procedural motion passed 5–4.

After the postponement vote, Dixon moved — and the council later amended and approved — a separate action directing corporate counsel to draft an ordinance that reflects the evening’s conversation and returns for council review. The drafting direction asked staff to consider language-access measures, civil-engagement components, economic outreach (including supplier-diversity language suggested by Councilwoman Powell), and continued police practices that limit inquiries about immigration status. City Manager Kozel and Corporation Counsel Chris Beck told the council substantial drafting and interdepartmental analysis would be required; staff said a workable draft could be available for council discussion in January or February.

Supporters argued an ordinance would lock in protections that current policy could not guarantee if administrations or staff changed. Opponents said many of the protections the public asked for—noninquiry of status, signage, translation services—are already in practice and that codifying them might provoke retaliation from the federal government. Members of the public, community groups and council liaisons urged clearer language access and community engagement provisions; several community volunteers and mutual-aid organizers were thanked by council members for their work during recent enforcement operations.

Next steps: council direction was to have corporate counsel prepare a draft ordinance, informed by the elements discussed at the Dec. 3 meeting, and to return it for review and further public engagement.