CASL Connect Town Hall Brings Community Leaders and Businesses Together

CASL Connect’s Town Hall and Know Your Rights for Businesses was held on November 5, 2025, in response to recent immigration enforcement activities taking place across Chicago and neighboring areas. The town hall served as an opportunity to provide accurate information, uplift community concerns, and ensure businesses and families feel supported. 

Featured speakers included U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Alderwoman Nicole Lee (11th Ward), and CASL CEO Paul Luu. The program also included updates on state legislative action from CASL Director of Government Affairs Lisa Wright, as well as a Know Your Rights training for business owners led by Abbey Eusebio, Manager of CASL’s Anti-Hate Action Center. 

Paul Luu reaffirmed CASL’s longstanding commitment to community safety and advocacy: 

“We will remain unwavering in our commitment to protect the safety, dignity, and due process of every family in our city. Due process must be followed under the law.”

Congressman Davis emphasized that the call for safety and fairness is rooted in shared history and principles of justice: 

“No person should be afraid to walk in their own community or send their children to school. We are calling on our nation’s leadership to respect the rule of law and ensure that dignity and justice apply to every person.”

Alderwoman Lee echoed this commitment, underscoring the rights and protections afforded to all residents: 

“Your rights do not disappear because of your immigration status. We have a Constitution, and we have due process in this country. If ICE comes to your home, you do not have to open the door. You have the right to remain silent, the right to speak to an attorney, and the right to ask to see a warrant signed by a judge.”

During the legislative update, Lisa Wright outlined recent progress in state policy aimed at protecting immigrant communities. The bill discussed includes provisions to: 

• Prohibit DHS/ICE arrests inside courthouses 

• Establish clear protocols for interactions with immigration authorities in hospitals 

• Train staff and limit access to patient information in healthcare settings 

• Restrict DHS/ICE access in public schools and higher education institutions 

• Prevent schools from sharing immigration status without a warrant 

• Require protocols to protect students and families 

• Prohibit DHS/ICE access to licensed childcare centers without a warrant 

• Expand legal avenues for Illinois residents to challenge unlawful arrests and detentions 

CASL encourages community members to remain informed and engaged as this work continues. CASL will continue to provide updates on government affairs and advocate for policies that support and protect the community. 

To learn more about CASL’s advocacy efforts and community impact, please visit  Impact and Advocacy on casl.org.