Chicago-area man killed by ICE honored at Day of the Dead celebration: 'Someone who was wanted'

Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune on Nov 1, 2025

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CHICAGO — Candles, candy and colorful flowers adorned the ofrenda, or altar, that a couple of dozen people helped build Saturday to honor Silverio Villegas González, the man shot and killed by an ICE agent in northwest suburban Franklin Park nearly two months ago.

At the intersection of Grand Avenue and Emerson Street, near where the shooting took place, the small crowd set out to pay homage to Villegas González for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday to remember loved ones who have died.

Villegas González’s girlfriend, Blanca, described him as a “very kind, gentle person” and said he was “someone who was wanted.” She said it’s hard for others to understand the pain she has gone through since his death.

“This has not been an easy process, especially when you’re in this country alone,” she said. “A lot of us leave our parents behind, coming to this country, looking for a dream.”

An orange cross was placed atop the altar, while photos of Villegas González and Mexican flags covered the ground. Some wore shirts with his face on it. The group also prayed and listened to some of Villegas González’s favorite rock music from a playlist that Blanca, who asked that her full name not be used for fear of retribution, shared.

“I didn’t know him, but he could have been my brother, he could have been a neighbor, he could have been my family,” said María López, of Melrose Park. “It’s not because of his immigration status, it’s because he was a neighbor. It could have happened to anybody.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials have said an agent shot and killed Villegas González, 38, on Sept. 12 after he attempted to flee arrest during a traffic stop, dragging and allegedly seriously injuring the agent with his vehicle. Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations into the shooting, including after body cam footage released by local police showed the agent describing his injuries as “nothing major.”

The state of Idaho, meanwhile, took custody of Villegas González’s two children, an absence his family in Mexico said they feel immensely.

Adriana Balvaneda, an organizer with Hijas Del Pueblo, the group that put on Saturday’s event, said she grew up in Franklin Park and was on a walk outside with her parents when Villegas González was killed.

“I saw the police put the yellow tape. I saw the Franklin Park village bring out the trucks to shield the view of what happened,” she said. “There’s a lot of pain in our community.”

She said Día de los Muertos is the perfect time to honor Villegas González’s spirit. Hijas Del Pueblo is also advocating for Franklin Park to become a sanctuary city and for the town to set up a permanent monument for Villegas Gonáalez, Balvaneda said.

“That’s really what Día de los Muertos is about, is making sure that we’re always aware of our ancestors,” she said. “And even though they may not be here physically with us, I know his spirit is the reason why Franklin Park has not seen as much activity as other places.”

Silvia Rogel, with Elmwood Park Neighbors United, said the whole community needs to come together amid the heightened federal immigration enforcement during Operation Midway Blitz, not just for Villegas González, but for every immigrant.

“We are contributors to this economy as much as everybody else, and we will demand our power,” Rogel said. “We know that it is never given to us, so today we are demanding our power.”