SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the cooperation of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and the City of Chicago have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino among other high-ranking officials.
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The lawsuit alleges that federal agents engaged in unlawful activities within Illinois, including swapping or altering license plates. Illinois law strictly prohibits masking, swapping or altering license plates on any vehicle registered in the state. The lawsuit asserts the state’s right to enforce its own laws and protect public safety against unlawful federal conduct within its borders.
“This lawsuit sends a clear message: Illinois will not stand by while federal agents disregard our laws and compromise public safety,” said Secretary Giannoulias. “We have a fundamental responsibility to protect our residents, and we intend to uphold that authority. Tampering with license plates is illegal and dangerous, and we will hold anyone accountable who breaks our laws and engages in these practices. We are committed to transparency, accountability and keeping our roads safe for everyone.”
On October 22, the Secretary of State’s office launched the Plate Watch Hotline to give residents a clear way to report suspected license plate tampering. The hotline was announced following reports that ICE agents were modifying state-issued plates to carry out their military-style deportation efforts. A widely circulated video on social media captured an ICE agent telling a bystander: “You can record all you want. We change the plates out every day.”
Through the hotline, the Secretary of State's office received hundreds of tips, including one that led to an investigation confirming ICE agents had switched out license plates on a rented vehicle, which the office immediately revoked. On December 4th, Secretary Giannoulias’ office sent a formal letter to rental car companies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reminding them that swapping or altering license plates is illegal under Illinois law and warning rental companies can be held liable if their vehicles are used in this manner.
