Crime & Law

ICE Activity in Lincoln Square Sparks Rapid Response From Community To Safeguard Schools, Neighbors

Community members lined the sidewalks outside neighborhood schools Friday afternoon in Lincoln Square, part of a rapid response mobilization following word of ICE activity in the area.

Federal agents reportedly detained two people, including an employee of WGN-TV, Friday morning at the busy intersection of Lincoln and Foster avenues.

The TV station said in a statement that it is “actively gathering the facts” related to the “evolving situation.” The employee involved is not a member of the news department, WGN added.

Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) notified his constituents via social media that ICE agents were in the area and encouraged them to help their neighbors: “Many of the locations ICE agents have been spotted at are schools — both public and private. If you’re able, please consider supporting safe pick ups at the school closest to you.”

Erin Tobes and Audra Wunder had already formed a mutual aid team for Chappell Elementary — located just blocks from where the incident occurred in the morning — and were able to muster a sizable group by the time students were dismissed from classes Friday. Adults were posted all along the school’s perimeter.

“People are dropping everything,” said Tobes. “We’re hoping ICE will see all these bodies, us showing up as a community.”

Similar groups have popped up at other schools, including nearby McPherson and Ravenswood elementary schools, and organizers are sharing resources and tactics, Wunder said.

“We’re all starting this out of necessity,” she said.

Community members outside Chappell Elementary during Friday’s afternoon dismissal on Oct. 10, 2025. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

The response teams are equipped with whistles to warn of the presence of ICE agents, and groups like the one at Chappell are also helping families within the school’s community who might need rides to work or other assistance out of fear of detainment.

Though neighborhoods such as Pilsen and Little Village may have larger Latino populations, schools in Lincoln Square enroll anywhere from 25% to 42% Latino students.

In addition to providing safe passage for students and parents at pick-up and drop-off, Tobes said she hoped the community’s presence would deter any action by agents that could traumatize children.

“We want to maintain the safety and innocence of all the kids,” she said.

Silvia Hernandez, who was among the parents safeguarding Chappell and adjacent Amundsen High School, said her 8-year-old daughter isn’t so much scared as she is upset, and even spent last night making a video calling on people to just get along.

All the women agreed that while it was heartwarming to see the community sticking together and standing up for neighbors, the need to do so in the first place was heartbreaking.

“This has to stop,” Hernandez said.

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]

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