West Central Reporter

At a recent Capitol news conference, Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) and his House Republican colleagues presented a legislative package aimed at addressing illegal immigration in Illinois.

Davidsmeyer criticized the Biden Administration’s Open Border policy, stating that both the United States and Illinois have struggled to manage the influx of migrants. He cited data from the Center for Immigration Studies, noting that Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for foreign nationals, with an estimated 530,000 illegal immigrants residing in the state.

“The surge of illegal immigrants into Illinois has led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and has blown a huge hole in our already-strained budget,” said Rep. Davidsmeyer.

He is sponsoring legislation (HB 1317) to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act. This law currently restricts law enforcement agencies from collaborating with federal authorities on detaining and deporting illegal immigrants. Davidsmeyer's bill aims to end what he describes as Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy.

“The truth is the Democrats’ sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe,” stated Davidsmeyer. “And the Democrats’ giveaways to illegal immigrants are incentives for them to come to Illinois. If you build it, they will come. And they did.”

Under Governor Pritzker’s administration, according to Davidsmeyer, $2.2 billion in taxpayer funds have been spent on healthcare benefits for immigrant adults, totaling over $3 billion on services for migrants and illegal immigrants while other essential services remain underfunded.

Davidsmeyer introduced House Bill 1456 aiming to terminate the HBIA/HBIS program due to its financial burden on the state's budget.

“With an estimated $1.2 billion budget deficit, we simply cannot afford this budget buster anymore,” added Davidsmeyer.

Another proposal by Davidsmeyer is House Bill 3417 which seeks exemption for the Illinois Department of Corrections from restrictions imposed by the TRUST Act on law enforcement activities concerning convicted criminal aliens.

“Convicted criminal aliens should no longer be held at taxpayers’ expense in our prisons. They should be processed and deported by federal authorities,” he asserted.

The legislative package also includes House Bill 3534 which proposes increased Medicaid transparency by requiring annual online publication of receipts and expenditures under the Medical Assistance program, including those related to non-citizens.

“With over half-a-million illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to secure the border and deport dangerous criminal aliens,” concluded Davidsmeyer. “I will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over illegal immigrants.”