Residents Discover Multiple Signs Targeting Immigrants Across Neighborhoods, Police Investigation Begins

According to recent reports, several signs have appeared across North Chicago and Waukegan, allegedly targeting immigrants. Since May 25, residents have reported seeing the signs posted on light poles and trees throughout the areas.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, some of the signs were removed by residents. However, new signs later reappeared in several locations.

One of the signs included an image of a shark with the word “ICE” drawn on it. Another sign showed an alien placed over target-practice imagery, along with the word “MAGA.”

Authorities are aware of the situation as residents continue to express concerns. Although it remains unclear who is responsible, surveillance video has provided some clues.

Footage from the area near Ridgeland and Jackson appears to show a person using a ladder to hang one of the signs in the middle of the night. The video is partially obscured by a timestamp.

Many residents have expressed concern about the matter. United Giving Hope Pastor Julie Contreras said, "This is a direct threat to the undocumented. This person would be telling us right here that he is ready to shoot someone."

Aurora Flores, who is a Waukegan resident, said, "When I saw one, we decided to investigate and ended up finding a bunch of them in front of different homes. It's in front of high-traffic areas." She personally took down several of these signs.

"I recognized immediately the shark imagery that they tend to use. It shows birthday balloons so that children take notice and then can be frightened by the words written on it," Flores added.

Residents believe that these signs are a direct threat to the immigrant community. After the reports started coming in, police showed up in a locality of North Chicago to investigate the matter. "I happened to look out the window and saw one car, a police car sitting right there. And then, another pulled up," said Cordell Wise, who is a resident of North Chicago.

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham has asked the residents not to take down the signs themselves. He has urged them to inform the authorities and wait for their action. In a statement, the mayor heavily condemned the signs.

"This is not acceptable for anybody, regardless of what side you want to be on, freedom of speech. This is pure hatred," said Cunningham.