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Thousands see suburb delay immigration discussion

By George Houde
Special to the Tribune

October 3, 2006, 10:09 PM CDT

The Carpentersville Village Board postponed discussion Tuesday night of a proposed ordinance that targets illegal immigrants after a crowd estimated at 3,000 people arrived for the meeting.

Opponents far outnumbered supporters of the crackdown, which would deny a business permit to any employer found to have knowingly hired undocumented workers and would fine landlords $1,000 if they rented apartments to illegal immigrants.

It also would make English the official language for village documents, forms and signs.

The scene at Village Hall was a demonstration of the passions on both sides of the national immigration issue as Congress debates reforms and activists stage rallies across the U.S.

Outside Village Hall before the meeting, Nora Sandoval of Carpentersville held an American flag, accompanied by her daughter and grandchildren. She said hers was among the first Hispanic families to settle in the village in 1968.

"People come here to have a good life," Sandoval said. "Just being here says so much in support of the Hispanic community."

Eric Fredenburg of Carpentersville backed the effort to crack down on illegal immigrants.

"I'd like to know how many of these people are legal," Fredenburg said.

Don Lee of Carpentersville reacted to Spanish-speakers using a bullhorn to get across their message. "This is America, we speak English here," Lee said.

Acting on the advice of the village attorney, the Village Board voted to defer discussion of the proposal in order to find a bigger place because of the unexpectedly large crowd. The maximum occupancy of the board's meeting room is 212, according to village fire code.

Officials seemed surprised by the turnout, and police called in reinforcements from the Northern Illinois Police Emergency Alarm System. About 120 officers in riot gear assembled across the street from Village Hall.

Carpentersville Deputy Police Chief Mike Gillette said the department had planned to call for help if the crowd exceeded 1,000.

"The crowd was peaceful. I was very impressed," Gillette said.

Although some were disappointed by the postponement, Rev. Antonio Cabello, pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Carpentersville, said it was a good idea.

"I think people will cool down and come to their senses," he said. "You don't need to create such a divisive ordinance."

The board did not set a date or place for the special meeting that will consider the ordinance. It was tabled after Village President Bill Sarto said the board should follow the advice of Village Atty. James Rhodes.

Rhodes said the village needed to comply with the state Open Meetings Act.

"We need to make sure that everyone who wants to discuss and listen to this [debate] can be accommodated," Rhodes said.

The Carpentersville ordinance is modeled after one passed in Hazleton, Pa., after a series of violent crimes were committed by illegal immigrants. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups immediately challenged the measure in court, saying it was an unwarranted local intrusion on a federal matter.

Many Hispanic residents of Carpentersville have said illegal immigrants are such a vital part of local businesses that expelling them would mean economic disaster.

Laura Ornelas, a Carpentersville resident and employee of Carpentersville-based School District 300, said before the meeting Tuesday night that the proposal is troubling.

"They say we're criminals, but we're not," Ornelas said. "We're here to support our community and our friends and relatives. We're united against the ordinance."

Ornelas said she thinks the issue will eventually be decided by the courts and an ordinance, if upheld, could separate families.

"They say we take jobs away from the Americans, but the Anglos don't want to do the jobs we do," Ornelas said.

Tribune staff reporter John Keilman contributed to this report.