Rockford Sun

With public safety a top priority, Senate Republicans in Illinois have introduced new legislation aimed at addressing state immigration policies. The proposed Senate Bill 1313 mandates that state law enforcement work closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify, report, and deport undocumented individuals convicted of serious offenses, including violent crimes, drug offenses, and sex crimes. The intention is to remove such offenders from Illinois to improve public safety.

Republicans criticize Governor JB Pritzker for what they perceive as a contradiction between his public statements on deporting violent criminals who are undocumented and the restrictions imposed by the TRUST Act he supports. They argue that this act limits law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal authorities, thus compromising public safety.

State Senator Dave Syverson emphasized that lifting these restrictions could enhance coordination with ICE and enable law enforcement to better handle undocumented felons.

In other news, Illinois ranks low in national education freedom according to a report by the American Legislative Exchange Council. The state received a “D” grade due partly to the cessation of the Invest in Kids program but earned an “A” for its homeschooling environment. Senator Syverson advocates for launching a similar initiative to provide educational choices for students in underperforming schools.

The state's economic challenges were also highlighted as Illinois grapples with high unemployment rates and slow job growth. In December, Illinois had an unemployment rate of 5.2%, ranking third highest nationally. Despite adding 56,000 jobs in 2024, its growth rate fell short of the national average. Senator Syverson calls for comprehensive tax reform and fiscal responsibility as solutions to revive the state's economy.