Quincy Reporter

Senator Jil Tracy of Illinois State Senate District 50 has expressed concerns regarding Governor J.B. Pritzker's stance on federal law, claiming it has created legal obstacles and shielded violent offenders from deportation. Tracy made this statement on Facebook on February 10.

"With the U.S. Department of Justice's filing a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and Cook County over sanctuary laws, many other Republican state legislators are demanding that Gov. Pritzker support the repeal of the Trust Act, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration authorities," said Tracy, State Senator, according to Facebook. "The lawsuit accuses these jurisdictions of hindering federal immigration enforcement by limiting local law enforcement's ability to work with ICE. Chicago has become a major focus of ICE operations. Gov. Pritzker's defiance of federal law has created legal obstacles that shield violent offenders from deportation, leaving Illinois communities vulnerable."

The lawsuit in question names several officials, including the State of Illinois, Governor Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and its president, as well as Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. It alleges that these officials have released numerous criminals who should have been detained for removal. The complaint points to the Illinois Way Forward Act and the TRUST Act as measures that impede federal immigration regulation and enforcement against illegal immigration. Additionally, it references the Welcoming City Ordinance in Chicago and Cook County's policy on responding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers, which restricts officers' ability to share information about illegal immigrants in custody with federal authorities.

Screenshot of State Senator Jil Tracy's Feb. 10 Facebook post | State Senator Jil Tracy's Facebook page

Chicago has been a significant focus for ICE operations. Both former President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan have identified the city as a key area for efforts to remove illegal immigrants. According to NPR, Mayor Johnson said that Chicago will maintain its policies, ensuring that police do not intervene or participate in immigration enforcement.

Governor Pritzker responded to the lawsuit on February 7 by saying: "Maybe they put up with this kind of garbage in Florida, the home state of the head of the DOJ, but in Illinois, we have grit, we are tough, we are strong, and Donald Trump has no idea what he is up against when he attacks Illinois," according to ABC7.

Tracy has represented Illinois' 50th Senate District since 2022 after serving eight years in the state House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014. During her tenure in the House, she was part of the Rod Blagojevich impeachment committee. Her career also includes work in private law and roles such as Mt. Sterling City Attorney and Assistant Illinois Attorney General under Jim Ryan and Lisa Madigan. She resides in Quincy with her husband and their four children.