East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is calling for the repeal of the TRUST Act in Illinois, which has turned the state into a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants and is causing a significant financial burden on taxpayers. Miller's stance aligns with Illinois House Republicans who are proposing House Bill 4187 to abolish the TRUST Act and allow local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities.

Miller’s call aligns with Illinois House Republicans who are proposing House Bill 4187 to abolish the TRUST Act and enable local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. “The TRUST Act has made Illinois a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants which is costing taxpayers billions,” Miller said on Facebook. “There is no question, we cannot afford the mounting costs any longer.” “Our Governor had no problem with illegals flooding into our state a few months ago, now he is pleading for border security and immigration reform.”

House Bill 4187 seeks to abolish the Illinois TRUST Act, thereby terminating the state’s sanctuary designation for undocumented immigrants and granting local law enforcement the ability to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. “Repeals the Illinois TRUST Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code,” the bill’s synopsis reads. This response is prompted by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Chicago and growing apprehensions regarding the government benefits offered to migrants.

The push to repeal the TRUST Act comes in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Chicago and concerns about the government benefits provided to migrants. Illinois is home to approximately 628,000 undocumented immigrants, resulting in an annual expense of nearly $3 billion. Representative Miller's position is supported by Illinois House Republicans, who are advocating for the repeal of the TRUST Act through House Bill 4187.

The impact of the illegal immigrant crisis is particularly felt in Chicago, where over 18,500 migrants have arrived, exacerbating the city's violence and imposing a $361 million burden on taxpayers in 2023. The situation has prompted Democratic leaders in Illinois to seek financial assistance from the White House and call for a coordinated federal effort to address the influx of undocumented immigrants at the southern border.

In addition to the financial strain caused by the TRUST Act, concerns have been raised about the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services' subsidized health care program for non-citizens aged 65 and older. The program, which costs $550 million, has reached its capacity with over 16,000 enrollees. Discussions are underway among legislators regarding the program's future and the potential burden it places on taxpayers.

Representative Miller's call for the repeal of the TRUST Act reflects the growing concerns about the mounting costs associated with the illegal immigrant crisis in Illinois. With House Bill 4187, Illinois House Republicans are seeking to address these concerns by enabling local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities and ending the state's sanctuary designation for undocumented immigrants.