BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — If there was an expectation that the departure of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and Texas National Guard members from the Chicago area would bring down the temperature in Broadview, that has not been the case. And now, the west suburban village’s mayor is taking emergency action.
Mayor Katrina Thompson declared a civil emergency in Broadview because of a series of recent threats. Thompson, in a statement, cited a death threat made against her on Oct.13, which was reported to the FBI, and a telephoned bomb threat made against Village Hall on Sept. 4.
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This emergency declaration is allowing the village to hold Monday night’s Board of Trustees meeting virtually rather than in-person. Village officials said a group allegedly tried to “storm Village Hall” on Saturday and threatened to “shut down” Monday’s meeting.
The last couple of meetings have gotten heated, and the one two weeks ago had to be cut short as the village has faced criticism for restricting protest hours around the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center.
On Friday, outside that facility, more than 20 people were arrested, and four officers were injured, with three of them taken to a hospital, as demonstrators clashed with state and local law enforcement.
Thompson, in a statement, said, “I will not allow threats of violence or intimidation to disrupt the essential functions of our government, and I will not allow other elected officials, Village Hall staff or residents to be placed in harm’s way.”
The mayor says that declaration will remain in effect as long as threats against the village continue.
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