East Central Reporter

Earlier this year, Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois resident, and her friend Chloe Polzin died in a hit-and-run car crash. The driver, Julio Cucul-BolIllegal, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death, reckless homicide, and several counts related to false identification documents.

Illinois State Representative Chris Miller criticized Governor JB Pritzker's immigration policies following the incident. "JB Pritzker is is bending over backwards for people like this who should have never entered our country! We need a governor with a backbone who will work with ICE and law enforcement to end this insanity. Countless innocent lives have been taken due to illegal immigration policies crafted under the Biden administration, and Pritzker’s policies on illegal immigration continues to protect illegals over Illinois citizens. Our state needs a real leader, not a trust fund baby who is out-of-touch with what the people need and deserve," Miller said.

The Department of Homeland Security released a video honoring Katie Abraham after her death. According to Miller and supporters, similar cases have occurred across the United States where individuals killed in crashes were struck by drivers identified as undocumented immigrants.

Some of those named include Rickey G. Maddox from Georgia; Hallie Helgeson and Brady Heiling from Minnesota; Ivory Smith from Texas; Maverick Martzen from California; Alex “AJ” Wise Jr. from Texas; Taliyah Crochet and Rylan Oncale from Louisiana; Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin from California; Sarah Root from Nebraska; Grayson Davis from Texas; Police Officer David Lee from Missouri; Melissa Powell and her son Riordan from Colorado; and Robert Boles from Texas.

DHS officials say their law enforcement efforts are focused on preventing further tragedies involving undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes or drunk driving incidents. Victims' families can seek support through the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) at 1-855-488-6423.

Miller has represented Illinois' 101st House District since his election in 2023, succeeding Reggie Phillips (source).