West Central Reporter

Illinois State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer has strongly criticized Governor JB Pritzker's plan to allocate $160 million in taxpayer funds to address the migrant crisis in Chicago. The state has already spent $478 million on this issue since 2022. Davidsmeyer, a Republican, has been vocal in his opposition to Illinois' sanctuary state status for undocumented immigrants and has recently filed legislation to repeal the TRUST Act.

Davidsmeyer expressed his concerns about the allocation of funds away from essential services provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services. He emphasized the need to support vulnerable groups within the state, such as the developmentally disabled community, senior citizens, and children in need. He said, "We have children sleeping on the floors of state agencies because we can't afford to place them in proper settings. Governor Pritzker wants to spend $160 million to resettle migrants in Chicago while Illinois children have no place to go. Once again, JB Pritzker and his Democrat allies are shortchanging our own citizens to pay for their sanctuary state policy. This is disgraceful!"

Governor Pritzker's plan includes various components aimed at addressing the migrant crisis, such as streamlining intake procedures, creating additional shelter capacity, and expanding case management to expedite migrant independence, including job assistance. However, Davidsmeyer questioned the allocation of such a substantial amount of taxpayer funds. He stated, "$638 million in taxpayer funds to address the migrant crisis created by Chicago's sanctuary city, Illinois' sanctuary state, and the Biden Administration's failure to secure the border. Illinois taxpayers are already on the hook for more than $2 billion in costs to provide free healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants. When is enough enough?"

Davidsmeyer also highlighted the broader issue of the crisis at the southern border and its impact on Illinois. He argued that Illinois has become a safe haven for illegal immigrants due to its sanctuary state status and the inability of law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Furthermore, he criticized the state's provision of free healthcare benefits, driver's licenses, and housing assistance to illegal immigrants, stating that they are treated better than the state's own citizens. He emphasized the urgency of repealing the TRUST Act to address this crisis.

To gather support for his legislation, Davidsmeyer has launched an online petition drive. Individuals who wish to support his efforts to repeal the TRUST Act and end Illinois' sanctuary state status can visit his website at CDDavidsmeyer.org to sign the petition.

The debate between Governor Pritzker and Representative Davidsmeyer raises important questions about the allocation of taxpayer funds and the impact of sanctuary state policies on Illinois residents. As the migrant crisis continues to unfold in Chicago and across the state, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved.

To find out more, go to this link: https://cddavidsmeyer.org/2023/11/16/davidsmeyer-blasts-pritzker-for-spending-638-million-on-chicagos-migrant-crisis-reiterates-call-to-end-sanctuary-state/