Senate Republicans Demand Illinois-Specific Data about Non-Citizens Convicted or Charged with Serious Crimes

SPRINGFIELD – On Oct. 1, Illinois Senate Republicans came together at a news conference to express concerns over recently-released federal data that found more than half a million non-citizens with criminal convictions or pending charges are living in the United States.

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says these alarming statistics showcase the potential threat posed by immigrant criminals to the safety of Illinois residents. Of the 662,556 with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket, 435,719 are convicted criminals and 226,847 have pending charges. Included in that are more than 13,000 non-citizens convicted of homicide and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault.

Following the news conference, Republican lawmakers issued a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul asking for Illinois-specific data on how many of these individuals reside within the state.

Sen. Tracy stresses the need for Illinois-specific data, arguing that the available national figures could mask a more pressing issue within the state. Under Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois has gone from allocating a few million dollars per year for non-citizen programs to more than a billion dollars, and the Governor recently raised taxes by nearly a billion dollars to pay for it.

Meanwhile, a lack of cooperation between state law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), further complicated by the TRUST Act and other policies implemented under Gov. Pritzker, has created significant challenges in ensuring public safety and transparency for Illinois residents.

Republican lawmakers remain committed to advocating for transparency regarding the presence of non-citizen criminals in Illinois. Sen. Tracy says public safety must be prioritized and that Illinois residents deserve to have their questions answered.

October Designated Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Following an official proclamation issued by the Governor, October has been designated as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. With growing threats in the digital world, this month serves as an important reminder for all Illinois residents to take steps to safeguard their personal information online.

The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology is offering resources to help individuals protect themselves from cyber threats. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, staying informed about best practices for online safety is critical.

A few best practices to take to protect against cyberattacks include:

• Keeping software and operating systems up to date.
• Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Watching for suspicious activity. When in doubt, don’t click or provide personal information.
• Using encrypted (secure) internet communications.
• Creating backup files.
• Protecting home Wi-Fi network.

For additional cybersecurity tips and information, visit www.ready.gov/cybersecurity.

Senate Republicans Honor Veterans

To pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, Sen. Tracy is encouraging constituents to submit a photo and story of their loved one who served our nation so it can be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois Capitol from November 11 to 25 in honor of Veterans Day.

The tribute honors the brave men and women who have served their country, preserving their stories and sacrifices for future generations. Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.

Submissions should be emailed to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by Nov. 8 to be included in the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois State Capitol. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154.

Illinois Fall Trout Season Opens in October

Illinois’ fall trout season will kick off Oct. 19 at 60 designated ponds, lakes, and streams across the state.

An early catch-and-release season began on Oct. 5, but no trout may be kept until the official season opens later this month. The daily limit for trout during the regular season is five.

Anglers planning to participate in either the early catch-and-release or the regular season must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp. These can be purchased at various Illinois Department of Natural Resources license and permit locations, including bait shops and sporting goods stores, or online.

For a full list of 2024 trout fishing locations, click here.

LIHEAP Applications Now Open for Winter Energy Assistance

With winter fast approaching, qualified Illinois residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households cover the cost of their energy bills.

The application period is now open for priority groups, including senior citizens, households with disabled family members, families with children younger than age five, and individuals facing imminent disconnection. Starting Nov. 1, all income-eligible households will be able to apply for assistance.

LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy providers, helping to alleviate the financial burden of customers’ utility bills. Households do not need to be behind on payments to qualify, and eligibility is based on income. For example, a family of four earning up to $62,400 annually may be eligible for assistance.

To learn more about the program and determine eligibility, residents can visit helpillinoisfamilies.com or contact their local community action agency.