East Central Reporter

Corn and soybean harvesting is underway in Illinois, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting that 12% of corn fields and 9% of soybean fields have been harvested as of early this week. These figures are ahead of the five-year average for this time of year. While more than half of both crops are rated good to excellent, persistent dry conditions have negatively affected grasslands, leaving only 16% of pastures in good to excellent condition. Farmers in southern Illinois have started planting winter wheat.

Illinois House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at repealing the state’s sanctuary policies regarding illegal immigration. The move comes amid criticism from Republican lawmakers over Governor JB Pritzker’s handling of immigration and public safety.

State Representative Chris Miller said, “Joe Biden’s immigration policies were designed to let criminals, cartels, and terrorists into America to roam free while collecting taxpayer handouts. Now, we are watching in real time JB Pritzker going to extreme measures to protect illegal immigrants and using dangerous rhetoric that is motivating acts of violence against federal and local police officers across Illinois. I filed HR0466 to impeach the governor for being a national security threat by inciting violence.”

Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer has sponsored House Bill 1317, which seeks to repeal the TRUST Act—legislation cited as central to Illinois’ sanctuary state laws. Davidsmeyer stated, “Governor Pritzker’s failed sanctuary state policy has cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars and made our communities less safe. With 550,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to detain and deport dangerous criminal aliens. That’s why I filed HB 1317 to repeal the TRUST Act and end Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policy.”

State Representative Mike Coffey added concerns about how resources are allocated: “I talk to folks from my district often who are working full-time and struggling to pay for healthcare while migrants are receiving free Cadillac healthcare, and it’s not fair to Illinois citizens,” he said. “House Republicans have championed legislation that would end Illinois’ TRUST Act policies and put Illinois citizens first. We must protect our communities, and it starts with commonsense legislation that improves the quality of life for Illinois taxpayers.”

Estimates suggest that services provided by the State of Illinois for illegal immigrants total more than $3 billion annually. HB 1317 remains under consideration in committee.

On fiscal matters, House Republicans criticized recent increases in state spending under Governor Pritzker’s administration. The latest budget totals $55.2 billion for fiscal year 2026—about $2 billion higher than last year—and includes new tax increases.

Representative Miller commented on budget issues: “The Illinois budget has ballooned year over year with JB Pritzker in charge and rather than cut wasteful spending, we will stretch the tax dollar just a little further until eventually we’ve raised every fee, fine, surcharge, business tax, and gambling tax. We are taxed to death,” said Rep. Miller. “Every time we allow Pritzker and the Majority party to pass a budget that spends recklessly, covers up deficits with fee and tax increases, and uses altered projections to fit their narrative ignoring the reality of our future, we put more burden on the backs of our taxpayers and kick the can down the road on our looming fiscal disaster.”

Republicans have proposed targeted cuts including reductions in migrant-related spending such as funding for welcome centers ($40 million), immigration integration ($40 million), legal support services ($35 million), as well as reductions or eliminations within capital improvement funds.

Chris Miller was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 101st District in 2023 after replacing Reggie Phillips.