Suburbs and cities in Lake County are putting out messages to residents in anticipation of federal agents expected to come to the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago as part of the Trump Administration’s enhanced operations from ICE, Customs and Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security.

“In the coming days, we expect to see what has played out in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to happen here in Chicago,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a press conference Tuesday. “Many of these individuals are being relocated from Los Angeles for deployment in Chicago. We believe that staging that has already begun started yesterday and continues into today.”

Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump reiterated his plans to deploy federal troops in Chicago despite local opposition. Other groups, including the Illinois Freedom Caucus, have welcomed the potential deployment.

The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the suburban base could see federal agents stationed there in September, with NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern obtaining an email from Naval officials confirming a request from federal officials.

The email suggested agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Patrol could be housed at the base.  

According to a statement from a U.S. Navy spokesperson, officials at the base have been approached by Trump administration officials about potential “limited support” for immigration enforcement operations in the area this fall.

“Naval Station Great Lakes has been approached by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a potential request to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations,” the statement read. “At this time, no decisions have been made. The request involves limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.”

Last week, a report from The New York Times said Homeland Security officials requested to use Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago for their operations, which would include space for 250 department personnel plus a “Tactical Operations Center” and an “Incident Command Post,” as well as bathrooms, laundry, parking for 140 vehicles and storage space for medical supplies and weapons like rubber bullets and tear gas.

In a statement about the reports posted to Facebook Aug. 28, the City of Waukegan, which borders North Chicago, said its priority remains the “safety, well-being and trust of all residents.”

The post drew more than 100 comments and over 200 shares, with many residents asking additional questions about the reported plans.

The City of Highland Park also posted a message to residents, acknowledging the “concern about recent reports of potential federal operations in the State of Illinois.”

“In alignment with State of Illinois law, local law enforcement agencies may not participate, support, or assist in any capacity with immigration enforcement operations. Immigration enforcement remains the purview and responsibility of federal agencies,” the message went on to say.

Wednesday, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin announced that he and Sen. Tammy Duckworth requested a meeting with the Secretary of the Navy to “demand information around President Trump’s plan to use Naval Station Great Lakes to house ICE officers.”

“Our service members and the American taxpayers deserve transparency,” the announcement said.

What we know about ICE in Chicago

NBC 5 Investigates has learned that a border patrol chief is expected to lead the impending increased immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago, which are set to begin this month.

Gregory Bovino, who most recently led immigration enforcement efforts in Los Angeles – which at times have devolved into violent clashes between authorities and protesters – has been tapped to lead the efforts in Illinois.

NBC 5 Investigates also learned that it was Bovino himself who contacted Illinois State Police to inform the agency of the potential operations, according to the governor’s office.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Illinois State Police would not provide specifics about the conversation, only saying: “Consistent with normal law enforcement protocol, ISP continues to communicate with a variety of federal agencies, including border patrol, to ensure the safety of officers and the public. ISP operates within the requirements of the TRUST act and is not involved in immigration enforcement.”

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump would not say when federal operations in Chicago might begin, only noting “We’re going in.”

“I didn’t say when, but we’re going in,” he said, later adding, “Chicago is a hellhole right now.”

Where is Naval Station Great Lakes?

Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy’s largest training installation and the largest military base in Illinois, is located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan in the city of North Chicago.

A spokesman for the base told NBC Chicago the request “involves limited support in the form of facilities infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations” – but further details weren’t provided.

North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham said he talked to the commanding captain of the base and learned agents won’t be staying there.

“He said that they will be using offices on the base,” the mayor explained. “I don’t know if that’s National Guard or what – but they’re not going to be staged on base but they will be residing outside in the community.”