Metro East Sun

Republican House candidate and Foster Township Trustee Amy Elik fumes that recent immigration policy coming from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office only serves to put communities across the state more at risk.

“The State of Illinois should not be in the business of helping felons bypass federal immigration laws,” Elik, running against incumbent Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) in the 111th District, told the Metro East Sun of a new policy that allows violent felons facing deportation to be set free before having to interact with ICE authorities.

“This policy puts the people and law enforcement in our communities at risk,” she added. “The governor's office needs to immediately allow coordination between the Illinois Department of Corrections and local law enforcement agencies in the interest of public safety.”

Residents and lawmakers were only made aware of the change in policy after members of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association went public with their grievances and concerns, including Livingston County Sheriff Mike Downey likening the new procedures with giving ex-inmates a "head start to evade federal law."

Before the change, whenever convicted felons here illegally were set to be released ICE authorities were contacted after they had served their time.

“Local law enforcement does an outstanding job of keeping our communities safe and the State of Illinois should allow them to do their jobs,” said Elik, adding that she thinks that includes Bristow, now in her fourth year of representing the district.

“Our current state representative has remained silent on this issue,” she said.  

According to the Dispatch-Argus, a spokesperson from the governor’s office described the policy switch as a “pause in corrections' interactions" with ICE while the administration conducts a procedural review.