State Representative Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) has introduced House Bill 4237, known as Katie’s Law, which would grant the Illinois State Police authority to deport non-citizens convicted of crimes in Illinois. The bill was developed with input from Joe Abraham, whose daughter Katie died earlier this year after being struck by a driver who was in the country illegally.
“Katie Abraham had a bright future ahead of her and would still be with us today if Illinois did not have radical sanctuary state policies,” Miller said. “JB Pritzker has made Illinois less safe and communities more vulnerable to criminal illegal immigrants who put Illinois citizen’s lives at risk. I’m honored to have Joe’s support on this bill, and it is a direct message to Pritzker that we have had enough of his dangerous policies. We want criminal illegals who have been convicted in Illinois to do their time here and then immediately be deported to their home country.”
Miller also criticized Governor JB Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 25, an energy bill focused on battery storage and green initiatives. According to Miller, the legislation will increase energy rates for consumers across the state. He argued that recent studies by state agencies warn of potential electricity shortages within five years.
“This isn’t an energy bill; it’s an environmental giveaway that gives power to unelected bureaucrats to raise energy rates in the future and believe me they will. Small businesses this past summer saw their electricity rates double and triple from last summer. Now, these lunatics are mandating more green scams that are forcing companies to close their doors and letting other companies know not to do business in the state of Illinois. One thing is clear, Pritzker and the Democrats don’t care about Illinois citizens,” Miller stated.
Jim Sweeney, President-Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, also expressed concern about full electrification policies: “A government-mandated full electrification policy would be a disaster for working families. It would wipe out thousands of good-paying union jobs, destabilize an already overburdened electric grid, and send energy bills through the roof—projected to increase more than 2,000 percent for businesses and consumers,” he said. “There’s a smarter path forward. We can reduce emissions without gutting the energy systems that millions of Illinoisans rely on every day. Keeping natural gas in the mix isn’t just common sense—it’s essential to protecting union jobs, maintaining grid reliability, and keeping energy affordable for working families.”
Miller addressed ongoing concerns about pension liabilities in Illinois, noting that it is currently the only state with pension systems underfunded by over $100 billion relative to obligations owed—a situation contributing to high property taxes statewide.
He further discussed protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alleging coordination among protest groups via networks such as Indivisible since 2017.
On election law issues, Miller referenced a recent Supreme Court decision affirming Congressman Mike Bost’s right to sue over ballot counting practices after Election Day but noted that broader questions about mail-in ballots remain unresolved pending further cases.
Miller also criticized Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawsuit against federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Additionally, he highlighted findings from federal audits showing that several states—including Illinois—spent Medicaid funds on services for undocumented immigrants without proper authorization.
Chris Miller has represented the 101st House District since being elected in 2023 as a Republican succeeding Reggie Phillips.
More information about his legislative activities can be found at https://repcmiller.com/2026/01/16/state-rep-chris-miller-files-legislation-to-allow-illinois-state-police-to-deport-illegal-immigrants-who-are-convicted-of-crimes/.
For details on pension reform proposals referenced by Miller: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/4-ways-to-break-out-of-illinois-pension-trap/.
Background on Springfield’s projected budget deficit is available at www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2024-11-13/illinois-lawmakers-springfield-projected-budget-deficit-looms.
The role of activist organizations in ICE protests is examined here: https://lawenforcementtoday.com/nationwide-anti-ice-protests-exposed-coordinated-campaign-backed-left-wing-network.
Information regarding legal disputes involving election laws can be found at https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_fccaa491-6ff5-4012-8023-7812f34a5ed2.html.
