East Central Reporter

Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for Illinois Governor, said that the state's sanctuary policies have endangered residents following a fatal crash involving undocumented immigrants. This statement was made in a press release.

"I again call on Gov. Pritzker to end sanctuary policies," said Dabrowski, Candidate for Governor. "People are getting killed by illegals who have no respect for our laws. Gov. Pritzker needs to explain in detail how these illegals came to Illinois, who has been supporting them and who else knew they were driving around without a license or insurance. The people of Illinois shouldn't be forced to put up with criminal illegals roaming the streets, killing, assaulting, and robbing others, and abusing the generosity of Americans."

The debate over Illinois' sanctuary policies has intensified after a fatal DUI incident in Westfield. Federal officials reported that local authorities declined a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer due to state rules. Illinois’ TRUST Act of 2017 and Way Forward Act of 2021 limit cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Opponents argue that the crash highlights public safety risks, while supporters claim that enforcement of the TRUST Act has been inconsistent, citing reports that at least 17 counties still held Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracts contrary to the law. According to WTTW News, this case has reignited discussions about balancing community trust in policing with national immigration enforcement. Leaders are now seeking clearer detainer guidance and spot audits. Advocates warn that police-ICE ties can deter crime reporting and affect due process; critics advocate for closer cooperation to prevent similar tragedies.

Although Illinois does not publish public data specifically on undocumented immigrants’ involvement in crashes or crime, the state's 2023 traffic fatality total was 1,241 deaths statewide according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The TRUST Act guidance further clarifies that law-enforcement agencies in Illinois are prohibited from using immigration status as a basis for arrest or detention under state law. This combination underscores the difficulty of attributing traffic-safety numbers directly to immigration status.

Research comparing counties with and without sanctuary-type policies shows no evidence of increased crime in jurisdictions adopting such policies; one study found that sanctuary counties had, on average, 35.5 fewer crimes per 10,000 residents compared to non-sanctuary counties. This suggests that the presence of sanctuary policies is not correlated with worse public safety outcomes and may correlate with improved metrics. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, data indicate safer communities under such rules.

Dabrowski is the former president of conservative policy-research organization Wirepoints. He previously spent nearly 20 years in banking and served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. He officially announced his run for governor of Illinois in the 2026 Republican primary, emphasizing crime and economic decline in his platform. According to Capitol News Illinois, he has already raised over $1 million for his campaign and positions himself as an outsider to the political establishment.