As Censorship Expands, Autonomous Libraries Are Filling The Gaps
Like many urban systems, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) offers robust support for immigrant communities: collections in multiple languages, English language and citizenship classes, and voting rights events. In October 2025, as the invasion of Chicago by federal forces ramped up, the Uptown branch hosted an ICE-alert kit making event, inviting the public to assemble packets of whistles and zines informing neighbors about the violent occupation of the city.
Until Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from city-owned properties on October 6, public librarians could not legally prevent ICE agents from using their buildings.