Several months ago – on Sept. 26 – I sent this letter to Gov. Pritzker:
Sept. 26, 2023
Dear Gov. Pritzker,
The purpose of this letter is to inquire about the current migrant crisis, what’s happening in Chicago and future implications for downstate Illinois and Madison County.
In recent weeks, my constituents have expressed concerns about the migrant crisis, which is unprecedented.
Yesterday I attended a meeting of United Counties Council of Illinois (UCCI), which represents 77 Illinois counties, and the migrant crisis was discussed.
The news is full of reports about Chicago, and how the city just signed a $30 million contract to house migrants.
As Chairman, and on behalf of Madison County and its citizens, we want to be fully informed and part of the decision-making process, as this crisis threatens to fundamentally change our communities.
Respectfully,
Kurt Prenzler, Chairman of the County Board
Madison County
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I received no reply.
We all feared this would happen.
We have known that the Biden adminstration has left our southern border open for several years. We’ve heard about “millions” of “migrants”, but we haven’t seen any change in our local communities.
And then we began reading about “migrants” going to “sanctuary cities” – of which Chicago is one (and has been since 1985).
Last night I got this following text message from a friend:
“Good press release! I was just in Chicago. I saw illegals walk by me with their Red Cross blankets and a police officer escorting them at Union Station. It’s a disaster.”
And – yes – Chicago’s problems are affecting other Illinois communities.
Here’s a Chicago ABC 7 news video about an unscheduled plan with 350+ migrants landing in Rockford.
Chicago suburbs are frantically trying to protect themselves. Just google “Chicago migrants” and you’ll see hundreds of articles and news videos about suburbs passing restrictions:
Yesterday afternoon I spoke to the Chairman of Grundy County, who was heading into a special county board meeting to pass restrictions on un-scheduled bus stops and drop offs of passengers.
Grundy County even put signs up on I-55 telling buses not to stop in Grundy County.
Yesterday I called several suburbs (Tinley Park, Rosemont, Hinsdale, Oak Ridge, and others) and they sent me copies of ordinances that they have recently passed.
Yesterday I spoke to Effingham County Chairman Dave Campbell and he said they’re working on an ordinance. We exchanged notes.
(I appreciate Effingham County, because years ago – when Chicago declared itself a sanctuary city for illegal aliens – Effingham County declared itself a sanctuary county for the second amendment. We put that question on the Nov. 2018 ballot in Madison County and our citizens voted 2 to 1 that we should also be a second amendment sanctuary county. Hundreds of counties around the country have followed the lead of Effingham County.)
Today I plan to talk to other counties and municipalities.
Those who have played team sports have learned that everyone has to play their position, e.g. the quarterback trusts his blockers, so he can pass the ball.
We have trusted our federal government to regulate the border.
But they have “missed their block” or “dropped the ball.”
We all know people who have been born in other countries and have decided – legally – to become citizens of the United States. It takes time. They have to learn about our constitution. And they have to take this oath to become a citizen.
Yesterday someone told me, “People who take this oath to become citizens probably know more about the constitution than our kids who graduate from public schools.” I hope that’s not true, but . . . ?
Unfortunately, in July of 2022, a majority of the county board voted to take certain powers away from me – powers that past Democrat chairmen (Alan Dunstan, Rudy Papa, Nellie Hagnauer) had.
Why? Because I supported Republican candidates for county board who promised to vote to put property tax caps on the ballot for voters to decide.
And the so-called R county board members – who don’t want you to vote on property tax caps – were furious. And they got their revenge.
Four times I have asked the county board to put property tax caps on the ballot, and all four times so-called R’s have voted with D’s to block it.
Yes, they’ve made it more difficult for me to do my job, but my job is to serve the people of Madison County.
I see other counties taking steps to prevent the problems Chicago is experiencing, and I will do all I can do – even with reduced powers – to serve the people.