New Legislation Would Require Law Enforcement in IL to Coordinate with ICE

SPRINGFIELD – With public safety a top priority, Senate Republicans unveiled new legislation during the week that would close critical gaps in state immigration policies, which currently allow undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes to remain in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1313 requires state law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify, report, and deport undocumented individuals who commit serious offenses—such as violent crimes, drug offenses, and sex crimes—ensuring their removal from Illinois to enhance public safety.

Republicans say the legislation exposes a glaring contradiction in Gov. JB Pritzker’s stance on public safety. Despite his public claim that “violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported,” the TRUST Act he supports ties the hands of law enforcement, preventing them from working with federal authorities to deport most offenders. Republicans argue this hypocrisy endangers public safety and leaves Illinois families vulnerable to dangerous repeat offenders.

Senate Republicans are also pushing to repeal the TRUST Act, which restricts state and local police from cooperating with federal immigration officials except under narrow circumstances, like when a federal warrant is issued.

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says that by removing these restrictions and enhancing coordination with ICE, Republicans believe law enforcement will be better equipped to remove undocumented felons and improve public safety.

New Legislation Seeks to Address Sexual Assault in Schools

Legislation has been filed to hold students accountable for committing sexual assault in schools.

Senate Bill 98 mandates that any student found guilty of sexual assault, sexual violence, or engaging in sexual activity without consent at a school or school-affiliated event be expelled for at least one year.

The bill was introduced following an incident in the Taylorville school district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted, and the attacker was only moved to an alternative school after the victim’s mother pursued legal action. The proposed legislation seeks to protect victims and ensure offenders face appropriate consequences while also offering a path for rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.

Under the bill’s provisions, students found guilty of sexual assault or violence at school or related events will face a minimum one-year expulsion. This mirrors existing expulsion policies for weapons violations, ensuring a consistent and firm response to serious misconduct.

The legislation underscores the need for safe learning environments and accountability for offenders. It addresses gaps in current policies by establishing clearer consequences for sexual assault and ensuring schools take appropriate action to protect students.

The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault has endorsed the bill, highlighting its potential to improve how schools handle sexual assault, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Illinois Nears the Bottom in National Education Freedom Rankings

A recently released report ranks Illinois as 38th in the nation for education freedom. The 2025 Index of State Education Freedom by the American Legislative Exchange Council gives the state a “D” grade, due in part to the end of the Invest in Kids program, which provided scholarships for low-income students. Illinois did receive an “A” for its supportive homeschooling environment.

The index evaluates states on school choice, charter schools, homeschooling, virtual schooling, and financing programs that allow funding to follow students. Top-ranking states include Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas, while New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon ranked lowest.

Sen. Tracy says Illinois needs to launch a new program similar to Invest in Kids to help students in failing schools by offering them a choice to attend another school where they can succeed and thrive.

Illinois Struggles with High Unemployment and Lagging Job Growth

Illinois’ job market remains sluggish, with an unemployment rate of 5.2% in December, the third highest in the nation. Approximately 340,000 residents were actively seeking work, outpacing only California and Nevada in unemployment. The national rate was 4.1%.

In 2024, Illinois added 56,000 jobs, but its growth rate of 0.92% lagged behind the national average of 1.42%. The state saw gains in government jobs and private education and health services, but key sectors such as manufacturing and finance experienced declines.

Illinois’ post-pandemic recovery remains weak, ranking 46th in the nation with only a 0.25% increase in jobs since January 2020. High taxes, a burdensome business environment, and rising housing costs are contributing to the state’s sluggish economic performance.

Sen. Tracy says the key to reversing Illinois’ sluggish job market lies in comprehensive tax reform and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing the need to lower taxes, simplify regulations, and address the state’s budget and pension issues. By providing real relief to businesses and working families, Illinois can foster job growth, attract skilled workers, and restore economic vitality.