People turned out in large numbers to “No Kings” events across the Chicago area and the nation to oppose what many are calling increasingly authoritarian practices by President Donald Trump.
The protests take place as Chicago remains at the forefront of controversial immigration enforcement operations called “Operation Midway Blitz” and a legal debate over the deployment of National Guard troops in the city.
Events were planned in more than 2,000 cities, with over 30 in the Chicago area, according to a map shared by organizers.
Saturday’s protests mark the second round of “No Kings” demonstrations, as protests also took place in Chicago and across the United States in June.
Protests outside the Broadview immigration facility and in many other locations across the Chicago area have continued for weeks, leading to tense scenes, arrests and the deployment of chemical agents like tear gas by federal agents.
Here’s a look at some of the “No Kings” events that took place Saturday in the Chicago area.
Arlington Heights
NBC Chicago Sky 5 showed hundreds gathering in suburban Arlington Heights for a “No Kings” rally.
A large inflatable chicken with gold hair could be seen at the event.
NBC Chicago’s Sky 5 showed a large crowd gathering in Arlington Heights for a “No Kings” rally Saturday afternoon.
Lombard
Dawning yellow clothes and signs, protesters gathered in Lombard for a “No Kings” event.
Holding signs admonishing the Trump administration, protesters gathered in Lombard for a “No Kings” rally Saturday.
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect’s “No Kings” event drew a large crowd to the area.
A large number of protesters gathered Saturday in Mount Prospect for a “No Kings” event.
Inflatable costumes were a common theme across the “No Kings” events.
Evanston
A large crowd gathered at the intersection of Sheridan Avenue and Davis Street in Evanston for a “No Kings” rally Saturday afternoon.
A “No Kings” rally took over Davis Street and Sheridan Avenue in Evanston Saturday afternoon. Video credit: Linda Goldman.
Elgin
A “No Kings” rally took place in downtown Elgin Saturday afternoon, drawing a crowd holding signs, flags and dressed in inflatable costumes to the area.
A crowd gathered in downtown Elgin for a “No Kings” protest against the Trump administration on Saturday.
Villa Park
Protesters turned out in Villa Park for the “No Kings” event in the area, including a person dressed as an inflatable dinosaur.
A crowd of protesters gathered for a “No Kings” event Saturday in suburban Villa Park.
Elmhurst
A large crowd gathered in Elmhurst for a “No Kings” rally, including people dressed in yellow and in costumes.
A large crowd came together in suburban Elmhurst for a “No Kings” rally Saturday afternoon.
Wilmette
The “No Kings” event in Wilmette drew a large number of people Saturday.
Credit: Joey Miller
Chicago
Thousands packed Chicago’s Grant Park for a “No Kings” rally starting at noon Saturday.
Thousands participated in a massive rally and march in downtown Chicago as part of “No Kings” rallies nationwide on Saturday.
“No Kings” events took place in five other locations across the city of Chicago, including in Unity Park in the Logan Square neighborhood.
The Unity Park event was attended by many families, with kids coloring on posters and with chalk on sidewalks.
A large crowd gathered at Unity Park in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood Saturday for a “No Kings” protest.
Where in and around the Chicago area are ‘No Kings’ rallies happening?
‘No Kings’ Protests Saturday Oct. 18, 2025
Click a circle on the map to learn more about a protest, zoom out to see more protests happening around the world.
Communities with “No Kings” protests include:
- Algonquin
- Arlington Heights
- Aurora
- Bartlett
- Bolingbrook
- Buffalo Grove
- Crystal Lake
- DeKalb
- Elgin
- Elmhurst
- Evanston
- Forest Park
- Geneva
- Gurnee
- Highland Park
- Homer Glen
- Joliet
- Kankakee
- Lagrange
- Lombard
- McHenry
- Morris
- Mount Prospect
- Naperville
- Oak Park
- Ottawa
- Palatine
- Park Ridge
- Pingree Grove
- Rosemont
- Schaumburg
- Wheaton
- Wilmette
Northwest Indiana
- Crown Point
- Highland
- Gary
- LaPorte
- Valparaiso