East Central Reporter

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has sharply criticized both local and federal leaders over their handling of rising illegal alien gang-related issues in Illinois, attributing the escalating problems to what he describes as ineffective policies and a lack of decisive action.

Halbrook has expressed grave concerns about the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies, alleging that they have enabled criminal gangs to infiltrate cities like Chicago. 

"These concerns are not just hearsay. They are very real,” Halbrook told the East Central Reporter. “There clearly are gang members using the Biden/Harris Administration’s weak border policies to infiltrate our cities. These criminals have wasted no time in organizing and the problems are only getting worse—not better.” 

Halbrook emphasized the urgency of addressing these threats, urging both state and local leaders to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard communities.

His criticism extends to state and local officials, whom he accuses of ignoring the severity of the situation. 

"This threat is real, and it is time for our state and local leaders to stop ignoring what is right in front of them,” he said. “We need honesty not double speak. People’s lives are at stake. Pretending these problems don’t exist is an excuse not a solution.”

According to Halbrook, the current approach is insufficient and only exacerbates the crisis leading him to call for a significant policy shift while criticizing the state's Sanctuary State and Sanctuary City policies for allegedly attracting illegal immigrants. 

"I would like to see our leaders stop pouring taxpayer dollars into solving a problem the State of Illinois is not equipped to solve,” he said. “We need to end the Sanctuary State and Sanctuary City policies that are attracting so many illegal immigrants to Illinois. We need our leaders to push for real border security and we need to aggressively work to get these dangerous criminals off the streets.” 

Halbrook's comments reflect his broader critique of the current administration’s handling of crime and immigration issues. 

He specifically said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker have implemented policies that contribute to the rising crime rates in Chicago. 

"There is a direct correlation between Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker’s bad policies and what is happening on the streets of Chicago,” he said. “People’s lives are being put in danger and the people in charge do not even have the integrity to be honest about the threats. They can’t be honest because it would expose how their terrible policies are the root cause of the crimes being committed. Honest citizens deserve better.” 

Halbrook’s comments come as in recent days, a series of alarming events involving gang activity and controversial social media threats have raised significant concerns across Chicago and Aurora, Colo.

Chicago authorities responded to a flurry of 911 calls reporting that members of the Tren de Aragua gang, an organized criminal group originating from Venezuela, had allegedly taken over an apartment building on South King Drive. 

The claims quickly sparked widespread anxiety on social media, prompting a TikTok user, who claimed connections to local street gangs, to issue a threat: “This ain’t Colorado. This is just like where you’re from. The only difference is… we got switches.”

A “switch” is a device that converts a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic weapon.

NBC Chicago acknowledged Tren de Aragua gang's presence in Illinois.

Also, in Aurora, Colorado, disturbing video footage surfaced showing gang members armed with long rifles and seizing control of apartment buildings. 

This video has further fueled fears and comparisons between gang activities in different regions, contributing to an atmosphere of heightened vigilance and concern.

As the situation continues to develop, both Chicago and Aurora are grappling with the broader implications of gang violence and the interplay between local policies and federal law enforcement efforts. Authorities are urging the public to rely on verified information and to report any suspicious activity directly to the police.

Meanwhile,  one of the gang's members, Jean Torres-Roman, who had been arrested in Chicago for illegal possession of a weapon, was subsequently released despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) request to detain him.

Torres-Roman was later implicated in a violent jewelry store heist in Denver, Colo. 

After the heist, Torres-Roman fled to New Mexico, where he was eventually apprehended. The case has reignited debate over sanctuary city policies and their potential impact on law enforcement's ability to address criminal activities effectively.