BGA Calls on Illinois Attorney General to Investigate Apparent Violations of the TRUST Act

As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to accountability, transparency and equity within government, the BGA is concerned about recent reporting indicating the Illinois TRUST Act likely is being violated without urgency to resolve by the Illinois Attorney General's office.

We call on Attorney General Kwame Raoul to use the full scope of his office to immediately investigate any and all potential violations of the TRUST Act and release the findings to the public.

It has already been reported that one sheriff has coordinated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a manner that appears to violate the TRUST Act; transferring people in their custody into custody of ICE, with a contract in place to authorize future detentions for ICE. Two other sheriffs have stated they would coordinate with ICE in violation of the TRUST Act, if given the opportunity.

On August 18, 2025, WTTW reported Adams County Sheriff Tony Grootens transferred at least two men into ICE custody and that the Adams County Jail had a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service that authorizes ICE to use the jail to detain people.

Earlier, on July 18, Quincy radio station KHQA reported that the Adams County sheriff had stated that he had "no intentions of turning away ICE agents." "We've put a few [undocumented immigrants] in jail, and they've since been transported out of here by ICE," Grootens told KHQA.

On September 29, Capitol News Illinois reported that Grootens said he has "cooperated with ICE on a civil immigration matter." The article also states that two other sheriffs, Shannon Bradley of Gallatin and Jerry Suits of Pope, had answered in a survey that they "would not comply with the TRUST Act if ICE requested their assistance." BGA has not independently confirmed the CNI report.

On August 27, Attorney General Kwame Raoul told Chicago Tonight, "sheriffs are sworn officers that are supposed to abide by the law, and so, that's all I will say about that right now."

A spokesperson for the Attorney General told BGA Policy that the office is in communication with Grootens' office and they "cannot provide additional information at this time."

Illinois' TRUST Act was passed by both chambers of the General Assembly and signed into law by then-Governor Bruce Rauner. It is the law of the land.

"The troubling situation involving the Adams County sheriff and its apparent lack of accountability gives BGA Policy real concern. The BGA has long stood for accountability, transparency and equity within government. We urge the Attorney General to resolve this matter to not further exacerbate the situation," said Bryan Zarou, Vice President of Policy at The Better Government Association.

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