Crime & Safety
Carol Stream Police Investigate Officers' Actions During ICE Encounter
Carol Stream, IL A Thursday morning traffic stop in Carol Stream became the subject&nbs…
By Country Herald Consumer Safety Desk · 2026-09-10T22:08:03.753Z
Carol Stream, IL A Thursday morning traffic stop in Carol Stream became the subject of an internal police investigation after federal immigration agents arrived and said they had an arrest warrant for the female driver.
According to the Carol Stream Police Department, an officer stopped a vehicle near Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue at approximately 8:11 a.m. Thursday after learning its registration was suspended. Police said the vehicle was occupied by a 30 year old woman and a 24 year old man.
The officer allegedly smelled fresh cannabis and developed probable cause to search the vehicle, police said. Officers reported recovering a personal amount of cannabis that was allegedly being transported in violation of Illinois law.
Police said the driver was to receive citations for unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver outside an approved container and operating a vehicle with suspended registration for mandatory insurance.
While the officer prepared the citations, individuals identifying themselves as agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement approached officers, according to the department. Police said the federal agents stated they had an arrest warrant for the female driver and planned to take enforcement action after the traffic stop ended.
Carol Stream police said officers issued the citations and cleared the scene. The department said it had no advance notice of the ICE action and did not coordinate with federal agents before or during the stop.
The department acknowledged community concerns and said it has opened an internal investigation to determine whether its personnel acted consistently with Illinois law and department expectations.
Police specifically cited the Illinois TRUST Act, Illinois Way Forward Act and Illinois FACES Act, saying the department does not collaborate with federal authorities for immigration enforcement purposes.
Additional information is expected after the internal review is completed.