West Central Reporter

A Republican state legislator and a Democratic Chicago alderman have both attributed the increased activity of federal immigration authorities in Illinois to local sanctuary policies.

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, a Republican from Murrayville who has represented the 100th House District since his election in 2012, announced he is introducing House Bill 1317. The bill seeks to repeal the TRUST Act, which currently bars local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities in detaining undocumented immigrants.

“This law, the TRUST Act, is the reason why federal authorities have come to Illinois. It’s because Gov. [J.B.] Pritzker has made it illegal for our local law enforcement to enforce federal laws,” Davidsmeyer said. “The reality is that Gov. Pritzker is more concerned about building his progressive national image than he is about protecting Illinois families from murderers and rapists.”

In January, Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez and Alderman Silvana Tabares, who previously served as a state representative, introduced an amendment to Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance. Their proposal would have permitted cooperation with federal immigration officers when individuals were arrested or convicted of gang-related crimes, drug offenses, prostitution activities such as human trafficking, or sex crimes involving minors.

The city council voted against this amendment. According to Lopez, Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies signaled to federal agencies that they should operate without support from local officials.

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