The Madison County Board voted Wednesday to approve a resolution opposing sanctuary state status in response to the immigration crisis for migrants and the potential for asylum seekers in Madison County, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls to continue funding services for illegal immigrants during his State of the State address.
The resolution acts as a declaration of opposition to Sanctuary State status, refusal to support sanctuary policies and an advocacy for change.
“We don’t feel this area has the resources to deal with it or the budget or the housing,” said Madison County Chairman Pro Tem Mick Madison (R-District 5).
Also on Wednesday, Pritzker gave his State of the State address, calling for continued spending on services for more than 35,000 illegal immigrants who have traveled to Illinois from other states. Pritzker proposed a $52.7 billion budget in total, which is an increase from the $50.4 billion approved last May.
Illinois State Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) issued a press release saying Illinois taxpayers have so far spent $2.5 billion on services for illegal immigrants in the last two years. He called the spending frenzy “ridiculous” when Illinois citizens who pay taxes were promised grants and relief but have not yet received the funds.
“It is time to end Illinois’ Sanctuary State status and focus instead on meeting the needs of our own citizens,” Schmidt said. “The Governor has no plan but to continue spending money we don’t have. There is no end game because Illinois is not equipped to solve this problem in the first place. The State of Illinois cannot solve this crisis and we should stop trying and focus on doing a better job of serving the citizens of our state.”
Madison County’s resolution accuses President Joe Biden of violating his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws and failing in his duty to enforce federal laws protecting the states.
It adds that the State of Illinois enacted policies and directives making it a sanctuary state, which have cost Illinois taxpayers an estimated $2.9 billion in services for illegal migrants. The resolution states that the Pritzker administration has made Illinois a “magnet for illegal immigration, and threatens the safety of Illinoisans.”
The state authorized another $17 million for municipalities outside of Chicago to become sanctuaries for migrants.
“Madison County taxpayers have no interest in supporting or facilitating sanctuary state policies, which have, in the opinion of the Madison County Board, created chaos and human tragedy wherever they are applied and have actively undermined the rule of law,” the resolution states.
According to the resolution, the county board declares its opposition to sanctuary state status and urges the state to rescind its policies undermining federal immigration laws.
The board also states its refusal to support sanctuary policies.
“Madison County Board directs the County Board Administration to take no discretionary action that supports the State of Illinois' sanctuary state policies or activities,” the resolution states.
Lastly, the board advocates for change.
“The Madison County Board encourages all citizens to actively advocate for changes in Illinois state policies that undermine effective enforcement of our duly passed federal immigration laws and address concerns about the impact of sanctuary policies on local communities,” the resolution states. “As always, the Madison County Board will do its best to adopt and promote policies that respect the rule of law and reinforce public safety.”
Board member Doc Holliday Sr. (D-District 8) asked if the state has already given money to aid migrants or if the county is in line to receive any funds. Madison and Prenzler both responded that the county has not received such funds.
Madison added that if Madison County were to receive aid money, “it’s a pittance compared to what they’re spending.”
“There’s no money to handle it,” Madison said. “There’s no housing to house them. We don’t have homeless shelters to house them.”
Board member Bill Stoutenborough (D-District 9) quoted the base of the Statue of Liberty, saying, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”
“I suggest we be an American county, not a sanctuary or anti-sanctuary,” he added.
Board member Mike Babcock (R-District 14) responded that they are all “compassionate and loving” to those who don’t have a home or food. He said that any one of them has the freedom to take these individuals into their own homes if they wish, but Madison County can’t accommodate the unfunded mandates. He said the state has a history of failing to fund what it promises to fund.
“We do have open arms,” Babcock said. “We do love anybody and everybody in this county. But the truth of the matter is, at the end of the day, if we can’t afford it, or you’re not willing to take them into your own home, it’s a little bit more complicated. So in that case, I’m only [voting for the resolution] to protect Madison County taxpayers.”
Also addressing Stoutenborough’s point, board member John Janek (R-District 21) noted that when immigrants came to the United States at Ellis Island, they were doing so legally.
Madison added that the immigrants coming to the U.S. at Ellis Island were not given everything for free.
“That has changed the dynamic completely,” he said.
“We’re not budgeted for this, and we don’t have the resources,” he added. “It’s that simple.”
Board member Alison Lamothe (D-District 18) said the individuals covered under Illinois’ sanctuary status were migrants who were not denied entry at the border.
“It’s not accurate to call asylum seekers illegal immigrants,” she said.
Board member Michael Turner (R-District 7) added that it would be inhumane for the county to accept the immigrants without enough resources to accommodate them.
Board member Jason Palmero (R-District 26) said he has had to work with migrant interdiction at the border, which was mostly saving the lives of those getting hurt.
He said it is not as simple as believing “we can bring anybody we want over here.”
Palermo added that there are always dangerous individuals intermixed with a group of immigrants.