Law Enforcement and Immigration
Law Enforcement Guidance & Reporting on Compliance with the Illinois TRUST Act and VOICES Act
The Way Forward Act, which became law in Illinois in August 2021, amended two existing state laws to add additional requirements and protections for immigrant communities: the Illinois TRUST Act and the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (“VOICES”) Act. The TRUST Act generally prohibits local law enforcement in Illinois from participating in immigration enforcement. The VOICES Act provides procedural protections for immigrants victimized by violent crime or human trafficking who have assisted law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting certain types of crimes.
The Attorney General’s office has issued updated guidance to law enforcement agencies to provide an overview of Illinois laws that govern law enforcement interactions with immigrant communities, including the TRUST Act and the VOICES Act. The guidance clarifies the restrictions on participation in immigration enforcement by state and local law enforcement in Illinois and reminds law enforcement of certain legal obligations to assist foreign nationals and immigrant victims of crimes.
Under the amended laws, state, county and local law enforcement agencies in Illinois must also submit annual reports to the Attorney General’s Office regarding their compliance with the TRUST Act and the VOICES Act.
The Attorney General’s Office has generated summary statistics for calendar year 2023 based on an analysis of the data reported by law enforcement agencies in compliance with the IL Way Forward Act. The report includes a list of non-reporting law enforcement agencies for 2023 as of July 1, 2024:
Past Way Forward Act Annual Compliance Reports
On August 1, 2024, the Civil Rights Bureau completed its investigation into allegations that the Joliet Police Department had failed to comply with the requirements of the VOICES Act. Follow the link below to read the findings and recommendations from this investigation.
Instructions to Law Enforcement on Annual Illinois Trust Act and VOICES Act Reporting
Law enforcement agencies must collect required information on a calendar year basis and submit it annually by March 1 of each year for information covering the preceding calendar year. For example, information regarding calendar year 2024 (January 1 through December 31) must be reported by March 1, 2025.
Law enforcement agencies should use the links below to download the updated guidance, instructions on reporting to the Attorney General’s office, and the template spreadsheet for submitting reports.
- Guidance to Law Enforcement: Illinois Laws Governing Law Enforcement Interactions with Immigrant Communities
- Instructions for Law Enforcement Agencies on Reporting
- Template Spreadsheet for Law Enforcement Agencies to Report to the Attorney General’s Office **NEW/REVISED FOR 2024 REPORTING YEAR**”
- Reporting FAQ / Troubleshooting Guide
Questions regarding the annual reporting requirements may be directed to LEA.Reports@ilag.gov by using the subject line: “Question About Reporting.”
Training Webinars for Law Enforcement on Annual Illinois Trust Act and VOICES Act Reporting
The Attorney General’s Office offers periodic training webinars on law enforcement’s obligations under the TRUST, VOICES, and Way Forward Acts. These webinars include a basic explanation of U and T visas, as well as important information about Way Forward Act reporting deadlines and guidance on completing and submitting the annual report to the Attorney General’s Office. Please email Special.Events@ilag.gov to request to be added to the distribution list for information on future TRUST, VOICES, and Way Forward Act trainings.
TRAINING WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: The next Illinois TRUST, VOICES, and Way Forward Acts webinar will be held on January 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The webinar will focus on law enforcement’s obligations under the VOICES Act and will include a basic explanation of U and T visas and the certification process as well as an overview of the TRUST Act. The webinar will conclude by addressing law enforcement’s annual reporting obligations under the Way Forward Act. Information about important reporting deadlines and guidance on completing and submitting the reports to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office will be provided. This training has been submitted to Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board for training credit, approval pending. To RSVP, please contact Special.Events@ilag.gov.