Stephenson County Board Declares itself “Non-Sanctuary County”
Through a resolution passed earlier this month, Stephenson County board members declared the county a Non-Sanctuary County. This proactive step alerts local, state, and federal officials of a county board philosophical decision to prioritize the expenditure of taxpayer funds on its legal residents in need over the needs of migrants and illegal immigrants.
While non-binding, I fully support the passage of the resolution and thank the ten county board members who supported it. In addition to pledging their support to citizens over migrants and illegal immigrants, the resolution expressed concern over the lack of a Federal or State comprehensive plan for the provision of services for migrants and illegal immigrants, and stated the county’s desire to join communities such as Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, and Rosemont, which have passed ordinances or resolutions prohibiting or restricting the arrival of buses carrying migrants and illegal immigrants and limiting the expenditure of taxpayer funds on these individuals.
Importantly, the Stephenson County resolution also urges the Illinois Legislature to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration officers on immigration issues. I am the leading sponsor of Senate Bill 3596, which does just that. My bill repeals the TRUST Act of 2017, and further protects Illinois taxpayers by also repealing areas of Illinois law that provide for free or nearly free healthcare for migrants and illegal immigrants.
Senate Republicans Advance Legislation to Provide Flexible Daycare Scheduling Options
As families throughout the state struggle to make ends meet due to high inflation and other economic pressures, I am a Chief Co-Sponsor of legislation that would support working parents by providing greater flexibility in scheduling childcare.
Most daycare centers operate from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, presenting a significant problem for shift workers who often work overnight or early morning hours. Republican legislation that recently cleared the Illinois Senate would create a more flexible childcare system to meet the different needs of working parents.
Senate Bill 3207 authorizes daycare centers to operate for 24 hours and provide childcare for up to 12 hours for parents employed in a position requiring regularly scheduled shifts. A 10-hour period must elapse between daycare visits.
The bill received unanimous support when it passed out of the Senate on April 12. The legislation now awaits action in the House of Representatives.
Illinois State Police Welcomes New Troopers from Cadet Class 146
The Illinois State Police (ISP) recently welcomed nine new troopers from Cadet Class 146 into the ISP family. The graduation ceremony took place at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield on April 12.
Cadet Class 146 underwent a demanding 28-week program that covered various aspects of law enforcement, including cultural diversity, procedural justice, domestic violence, and firearms training. Additionally, they underwent a 14-week field training component with one-on-one mentoring.
Since 2019, the ISP has grown its numbers by adding 512 new troopers to its ranks. The fresh recruits will be assigned to the following Troops across the state:
- Troop 3 Chicago: 7 troopers
- Troop 4 Peoria: 1 trooper
- Troop 7 Champaign: 1 trooper
To encourage more individuals to join the force, the ISP has extended the application deadline for the next round of recruits to May 1, 2024. Aspiring candidates interested in joining the Illinois State Police are encouraged to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website at www.illinoistrooper.com for further application details.
Legislation to Provide Stability for Abused Children Passes the Senate
Senate Republicans have advanced legislation to ensure that children taken into Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) custody don’t have to change schools.
Currently, when a child is taken into DCFS custody, they often end up in a new home outside of their school district. Senate Bill 2824 ensures that all children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS can stay in the same school if the agency determines it to be in the best interest of the child. This includes situations where a student is moving from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school within a school district. Allowing children to remain in their current school provides a measure of stability and familiarity for children who desperately need it.
The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House.
