Chicago’s path to being a sanctuary city began more than 40 years ago. Here’s a look back at the leaders and laws that have shaped Chicago’s involvement with the sanctuary movement. July 18, 1982: Church congregation begins taking in refugees The Wellington Avenue Church congregation votes to join the sanctuary movement — becoming just the second church in the U.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Thursday against Illinois, the city of Chicago, and Cook County, marking its first legal action against so-called sanctuary city laws. The complaint, filed by the Justice Department in the U.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who did not immediately respond to request for comment, has defended the city's sanctuary laws. He and other mayors plan to testify next month at a