Chicago City Council Rejects Sanctuary City Referendum

Aldermen in Chicago blocked a measure to include a nonbinding referendum on the March primary ballot asking voters whether to end the city's status as a sanctuary city. The City Council voted 31-16 against the motion, siding with Mayor Brandon Johnson. The resolution sponsor, Ald. Anthony Beale, accused the council of stifling democracy and not allowing the people to have a say. The proposal will now go back to the council Rules Committee, but it is unlikely to make the March ballot. The sanctuary city status concerns a ban on official cooperation with federal deportation authorities and ensures immigrants living without legal permission can use city services.