CALUMET CITY | A new resolution that tells local police it is not their duty to inquire about someone's immigration status was only a few minutes old Thursday when at least one activist said he's thinking ahead to future actions.

Joe del Real, a local resident who has been watching the City Council from the sidelines, said he wants something stronger. Del Real lost to Alderman Magdalena "Leni" Wosczysnki in the April 7 general election.

Del Real wants an actual ordinance, with penalties specified for local police who get too cooperative with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The new resolution merely says local police can't ask about someone's immigration status -- even if they come to suspect that the person might not have a valid visa.

"The next step is to actually have an ordinance. It needs to be clear that our police shouldn't be too close to immigration," said del Real. "Creating some repercussions (for police officers) would create an ordinance with some teeth to it."

Whether such an ordinance ever becomes a reality is questionable.

Such bans on cooperation with federal immigration officials would turn Calumet City from a "safe space" into a "sanctuary city," a status used by places such as Chicago and New York to designate those municipalities as places where newcomers to this country can feel welcome.

First Ward Alderman Edward Gonzalez previously has said he thinks Chicago's ordinance goes too far in terms of restricting police activity.

While Calumet City police officials supported the resolution, they might resent something that tries to go further in intent.

As things stand, Gonzalez said he is pleased that his resolution ultimately received approval.

Gonzalez thinks the resolution as it currently stands makes a fairly significant gesture of support toward Calumet City's growing Latino population, which local officials place at between 16 and 20 percent.

"All we are saying is that we will be a fair and equal city for everybody," Gonzalez said.