From State Rep. Sosnowski:
Our Borders Should Never Have Left Open; IL Sanctuary Policies Are Extremely Expensive and Nonsensical
When former President Joe Biden took office, he flung the southern border of the United States wide open.
During his tenure, millions of illegal immigrants poured into the country, overwhelming local, county, and state government resources and costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
Out-of-control illegal immigrant crime also took hold, with horrifying examples of gang activity, carjacking, theft, assault, sexual assault, and murder dominating headlines and disrupting life for American citizens.
While Republicans warned that the crisis was spiraling out of control, liberal Governor JB Pritzker and Supermajority Democrats pretended a problem didn’t exist.
The governor and his legislative allies favor an Illinois law named the TRUST Act, which encapsulates Illinois’ Sanctuary State laws.
House Republicans have been sounding the alarm for years as to the cost both to taxpayers and to the law enforcement community when dealing with the problem of illegal immigration and the lack of cooperation with the Federal government in removing dangerous illegal criminals from the United States since President Trump took office in January 2025.
A legislative effort to repeal the dangerous and failed Sanctuary State policies of the state of Illinois has taken root in the House Republican Caucus. Deputy Republican Leader Norine Hammond says Illinois’ Sanctuary State law is dangerous and costly and must be repealed.
“The surge of illegal immigrants into Illinois under Biden’s Open Border Policy led to a string of horrific crimes, endangered public safety, and blew a huge hole in our already-strained budget,” Rep. Hammond said.
“Illinois has spent $3 billion on healthcare and other benefits for illegal immigrants.
“I will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over illegal immigrants.”
Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer is the lead sponsor of House Bill 1317, legislation that would repeal the TRUST Act.
Davidsmeyer says more than half a million illegal immigrants in Illinois have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
“Governor Pritzker’s failed sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe,” said Rep. Davidsmeyer.
“With 550,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to detain and deport dangerous criminal aliens.
“That’s why I filed HB 1317 to repeal the TRUST Act and end Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy.”
Estimates peg the total cost of illegal immigrant services provided by the State of Illinois at more than $3 billion.
HB 1317 remains stuck in the infamous House Rules Committee, awaiting a public hearing and vote.
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Sosnowski and State Rep. Jeff Keicher are holding a fundraiser in Huntley from 5-7.
