As Governor J.B. Pritzker traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify on Illinois’ sanctuary state policies, his immigration agenda has cost Illinois citizens billions of dollars. While Gov. Pritzker claims he’s simply following existing law, in reality, he has pushed policies that dramatically limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, even in cases involving repeat offenders, violent criminals, and known gang members.
In 2021, Gov. Pritzker signed legislation forcing counties to cancel long-standing ICE detention contracts, weakening the state’s ability to detain and deport dangerous individuals. He also empowered the Attorney General to investigate and penalize police departments that assist federal immigration officials, sending a chilling message to law enforcement across Illinois.
Beyond enforcement, Gov. Pritzker created the taxpayer-funded Welcoming Illinois office to expand benefits for undocumented immigrants, including free healthcare, costing billions at a time when working families are struggling with inflation, rising taxes, and public safety concerns.
State Senator Sue Rezin stated that the testimony wasn’t just about immigration policy, but about a governor being more focused on currying favor in Washington than protecting the people of Illinois. Residents deserve leadership rooted in accountability, not political ambition.