DIXON – Lee County Board members unanimously declared the county as “Noncanne County” at the board’s 22 February meeting, supporting a local resolution to not use the taxpayer’s money, which he called a “immigration crisis”.
“Lee County, proclaiming itself a non-maza county and dedicating its limited resources to its inhabitants, and is absent under emergency situations, Lee County will not provide taxpayer funded services or dollars towards the County Immigration crisis,” reads part of the resolution.
The resolution itself “does not weight” and “is completely unattainable”, the board member Jack Scrogastad said, who helped prepare the document.
“This is basically, Lee County as a governing body, saying to the rest of Illinois,” We are not a sanctuary county like the Chicago region, “said Scrogstad. “We want county funds that we get from taxpayers to support the citizens of Lee County, and we can barely do so.”
[ Why are migrants coming to northern Illinois? Here’s what we know ]
Board member Angi Shippert said that similar proposals were passed elsewhere in some parts of the resolution.
At the Lee County Board meeting on 18 January, Shippar said that he had heard from components related to the influx of illegal immigrants and the matter should be sent to the public security and court service committee to consider. He is part of that committee and helped prepare the draft resolution.
“It is really unfortunate that these people cross the border, and it is unfortunate that our federal government is originally putting them at risk.”
Lee County Board resolve is the latest in a tendency seen in North Illinois municipalities, who have passed laws regulating local response to the ongoing migrant crisis. Since December, towns and cities have taken Dekalb, Kane, Mchenry, La Salle and Wil Counties, among others, among others, resolutions or ordinances, which means when, or how, migrants come to their communities.
Unlike Lee County Board’s response, however, some neighboring communities have passed local rules, especially to target the transport of migrants from communities that are not Chicago. Supporters of some ordinances have said that the rules are active, which is an opportunity to ensure safe transport for those unfamiliar with midwests. However, opponents have called some ordinances “unwanted”, saying that they set an example of how the community treats migrants.
Skrogstad said that he believes that the law will soon come up to the county officials that they have to handle the flow of immigrants in a certain way to help the Chicago region.
He said, “I feel in such a way that our legislature has already told every county in Illinois how to handle our solar and wind projects,” he said, referring to a bill signed in 2023 which determines the statewide standards for wind and solar farms.
Prior to Lee County Vote, three members of the public, including a former member of Lee County Board, spoke in favor of Sankalp.
“I hope you can see Lee County and an advantage for all county residents,” said former board member Merlin Shippert. “I urge you to vote in favor of this resolution, which I was in your place, I would have done it.”
Merlin is the aunt of the husband’s husband.
Bradford Township Supervisor Cindy Night appreciated the members of the county board for considering the “Noncanne County” resolution.
“We are a nation of laws, and welcomes those wishing to follow laws and process,” Knight said. “What is happening now is none of these things. This has been since the federal and state government is not ready to use resources for protecting its citizens and its productive tax-paying citizens, many of which are in the real need, that I, I, the last line of our defense, to speak, so to speak, … to vote for ‘yes’ on this proposal. ,
This is legal under the federal law that allows migrants to take shelter in the US, while their residence situation is considered. Since 2022, more than 33,000 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, have reached Chicago, the Associated Press reported in January. In recent months, the leaders of the Chicago city have said that they can no longer meet the needs of such a large flooding, and strict rules can be implemented on how and when migrants can come to the city. Since then, some of the surrounding suburban communities have reported the arrival of migrant in the city, inspiring the municipalities to take the issue under local rule.
Fred Nichols said that when he was considered the resolution, he was happy. He thanked the county board for “standing for citizens” he was elected.
“Our country is open to immigrants, but there are rules and a law. One way to become a legal citizen is, ”Nichols said. “We all want people to follow it. Protect Lee County, protect the beautiful county with us, protect people, and from under my heart, I thank people for bringing this resolution. ,
Sankalp accepted and listed the sanctions imposed by the 2017 Trust Act. The Trust Act “usually prevents local law enforcement in Illinois from participating in immigration enforcement,” according to the website of Illinois Attorney General’s office.