Quincy Reporter

Mary Miller, representative for Illinois’ 15th Congressional District, expressed uncertainty regarding whether Governor J.B. Pritzker will prioritize Americans or the illegal immigrants he has welcomed to the state. Her comments come as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) begin in Chicago.

"The violent mob of foreign nationals targeting ICE is beginning to rise in Chicago, just as expected," said Mary E. Miller, U.S. Representative of Illinois's 15th congressional district (R). "Will JB Pritzker stand with the criminals he welcomed into Illinois, or with the American people?"

According to a WGN report, protests against ICE and mass deportations commenced in Chicago on June 10. Demonstrators gathered at Federal Plaza and marched through downtown Chicago in an event that was mostly peaceful. Due to the protests, the Chicago Transit Authority temporarily suspended bus service along routes from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road and from Clinton Street to the lakefront.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's June 10 post on X | X

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that during the first week of June, at least 10 immigrants were arrested at routine immigration appointments in the South Loop. On Tuesday, thousands of protesters gathered downtown for multiple demonstrations, including a rally at Federal Plaza at 5:30 p.m. and another outside the immigration court at 3 p.m. Police detained at least six people during these events. Although tensions led to some clashes between protesters and officers, supervisors intervened to de-escalate the situation. There were also reports of vehicular vandalism during the protests.

Miller is currently serving in the U.S. Congress, representing Illinois’ 15th district after replacing John Shimkus in 2021. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1959, Miller now resides in Oakland with her family. She and her husband continue to operate their fourth-generation family farm.