Pritzker Signs HB 1312 Expanding Protections for Immigrants, Limiting Civil Immigration Enforcement in Illinois

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed HB 1312, a comprehensive state law designed to curb civil immigration enforcement in several public settings and provide new safeguards for undocumented immigrants interacting with state institutions.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference amid reports of federal deployments to Chicago Sept. 2, 2025.

Pritzker signed the bill at a ceremony in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, joined by the legislation’s sponsors, state officials and community advocates.

Residents confront federal agents and Border Patrol agents over their presence in their neighborhood on Atlantic Blvd. in the Los Angeles suburb of Bell.

“With my signature today, we are protecting people and institutions that belong here in Illinois. Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task,” Pritzker said in a statement, adding that the law reflects Illinois’s stance of solidarity and support against intimidation.

Key Provisions

HB 1312 includes multiple measures intended to limit civil immigration enforcement and protect privacy:

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Thursday said the Trump administration is doubling down on security in Chicago and Portland and is looking at purchasing more buildings for federal law enforcement to operate out of in both cities.

• Private Right of Action: The law creates a cause of action allowing individuals to sue officers if they believe their constitutional rights were violated during encounters involving civil immigration enforcement.
• Courthouse Protections: It prohibits civil immigration arrests in and immediately around courthouses for people attending certain state proceedings.
• Hospital Privacy Rules: Hospitals must adopt written policies governing interactions with law enforcement to strengthen patient privacy.
• Restrictions on Disclosure: Universities and day care centers are limited in when they may disclose a person’s immigration status, only doing so when required by law.
• Protocols for Federal Agents: Designated institutions must implement protocols for responding to federal agents by early 2026.

Reactions and Legal Questions

The measure drew immediate criticism from federal officials and conservative voices. A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the governor should focus on crime and accused him of prioritizing noncitizens over Illinois residents.

Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin argued the law conflicts with federal authority, citing the Supremacy Clause and saying the governor’s action raises constitutional concerns.

The debate over HB 1312 unfolds amid heightened national attention on immigration enforcement. Former President Donald Trump and some federal advisers have pushed for broader deportation efforts, arguing for more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws. Supporters of HB 1312 say it protects everyday activities—like attending class, visiting a doctor, or dropping a child at daycare—from becoming fraught with immigration risk, while opponents contend the state law could interfere with federal enforcement.

What Comes Next

Legal challenges to HB 1312 are possible given the federal-state tensions it raises. Illinois officials say the law is meant to protect civil liberties and public safety, while federal officials may review or challenge any provisions they view as conflicting with federal immigration authority.