Tensions boil over as Broadview mayor declares "civil emergency" over threats, holds board meeting remotely
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson declared a civil emergency and moved to hold the village board meeting remotely Monday evening, but that didn't stop punches from being thrown outside the village hall.
Community members went to the village hall early to show support for Thompson, but were met with a sign that Monday's meeting would not be held in person. This follows a series of threats against the mayor and other village officials, on the heels of weeks upon weeks of an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions around the metro area.
According to a spokesperson for Thompson, a bomb threat was made against the village hall on Sept. 4, and a death threat was made against the mayor on Oct. 13. The FBI has been notified of the death threat against Thompson.
The last two Broadview village board meetings ended abruptly after chaos broke out.
"The threats grew this past Saturday, November 14, 2025, when a group of out-of-town protesters, non-Broadview residents, attempted to storm Village Hall and explicitly threatened to 'shut down' the scheduled Monday, November 17 Board of Trustees meeting," Broadview police said.
Some on the scene Monday did not know Thompson put a civil emergency in place, allowing the public meeting to be held virtually, which is why dozens still showed up.
"Typically, we do our meetings in person, but due to safety protocols, it's best that we do this to protect the integrity of the people who live and work in this village," Thompson said.
CBS Chicago crews were on the scene when an out-of-town protester, Ian, was slapped in the jaw by a man dressed in all-black.
"I know the mayor and the police here definitely are tired of us being here and are making us the problem and not ICE," Ian said. "Since both those threats happened, there have been at least two town halls that were still open to the public."
Ian said he doesn't understand the timing, but dozens also came out to stand in solidarity with Thompson. Torino Norris, manager of the View restaurant, said they made it a priority to come out and show their support.
"It's been a lot of stuff, a lot of negative views towards the mayor, and we're just here to support that and give a positive side," Norris said. "She's very supportive of local businesses, Black businesses, community, you know, all of that. … We don't understand how the mayor is being scrutinized (for) what is taking place when it is coming from a higher place."
Thompson's office noted that 21 people were arrested on Friday, after protesters clashed with police officers outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. Two Broadview police officers, an Illinois State Police trooper, and a Cook County Sheriff's deputy were injured in the clash.
A crowd of about 300 people had gathered in the designated protest area around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, and about 20 minutes later, the leader of the demonstration announced that they wanted some clergy members to be allowed inside the ICE facility to deliver communion.
About 10 minutes later, some people pushed past the barricades around the designated protest area. Police pushed people back and some fell down. There was another surge or two from the crowd before things calmed down.
"Since ICE's Midway Blitz and the subsequent, intensifying protests began, the serious and credible bomb and death threats and the threat to disrupt village government has left me with no alternative but to declare a civil emergency in Broadview," Thompson said in a statement. "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."
Thompson's office said her civil emergency declaration will remain in place, until the mayor determines that threats to village officials are no longer present.