IMMIGRATION/PUBLIC SAFETY
House Republicans Expose Public Safety Failures of Gov. Pritzker’s Sanctuary State Policies
Reacting to the murder of a Loyola student by an illegal immigrant on Chicago’s lakefront, House Republican Reps. John Cabello, C.D. Davidsmeyer, Patrick Sheehan, and Patrick Windhorst exposed the public safety failures of Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary state policies.
Two weeks ago, in a devastating act of violence, a Loyola University student was tragically shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who had an outstanding arrest warrant. It is yet another deadly consequence of Governor Pritzker’s failed sanctuary and public safety policies.
On March 19, 18-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed on the Chicago lakefront, a place Governor Pritzker often claims is safe, by an illegal immigrant with prior offenses who was allowed to stay on our streets.
The alleged murderer, Jose Medina, is a Venezuelan national who was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden Administration’s Open Border Policy. He was then released again on June 19, 2023, following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago.
At a Capitol press conference, State Rep. John Cabello mourned the death of Sheridan Gorman and called for an end to Illinois’ sanctuary policies.
“So the question before us is simple. Have you had enough yet? Have you had enough of the deadly consequences of Gov. Pritzker’s failed policies?” Cabello asked.
State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, who is also a police officer, said Pritzker called federal law enforcement the Gestapo and Johnson called law enforcement a sickness.
“How will we ever have safe communities in Illinois when the people at the top are undermining law enforcement at every single turn?” Sheehan asked.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst said Illinois Republicans have introduced legislation to restore public safety.
“Repealing the TRUST Act would allow state and local law enforcement officials and officers to communicate with federal officers to ensure that criminal illegal aliens face deportation proceedings when they are released from jail,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst also outlined proposals to expand the detention net for pretrial release and giving judges discretion when individuals are deemed dangerous.
Rep. Davidsmeyer added, “It’s time to restore balance. It’s time to restore accountability. And most importantly, it’s time to restore public safety in Illinois.”
AGRICULTURE
Welcoming students to FFA Agriculture Legislative Day
It was great to see so many blue and gold jackets (with a few green and white sprinkled into the mix) at the Capitol Tuesday for National Agriculture Day and Agriculture Legislative Day!
Thank you to all the students who came to the Capitol and spent time with us discussing Ag legislation.
CHICAGO BEARS
Reps. Ugaste and Keicher: Bears Deal Must Protect Taxpayers, Not Stick Them with the Bill
The following opinion piece by State Representatives Dan Ugaste and Jeff Keicher appeared in The Illinoize on March 25, 2026.
Recently, the lead negotiator on the Chicago Bears stadium proposal suggested Republicans are trying to have it “both ways,” claiming we oppose the deal while also blaming Democrats for potentially losing the team.
That’s simply not true.
Let’s be clear: we want the Chicago Bears to remain in Illinois. We want a world-class stadium that can attract marquee events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, and national conventions that bring real economic activity to our state. Illinois has already watched too many of those opportunities go elsewhere. This year’s Final Four in Indianapolis is just the latest reminder.
But wanting a stadium and supporting a bad deal are not the same thing.
As currently drafted, this proposal puts additional pressure on Illinois’ already overburdened property tax payers. It allows local taxing bodies to shift relief granted to the Bears onto everyone else. In plain terms, that means homeowners and small businesses could end up paying more to make the deal work.
That is a non-starter.
Large-scale economic development projects should ease the tax burden on surrounding communities, not quietly redistribute it. If a deal requires shifting costs onto already tapped-out taxpayers, it’s not a good deal. It’s a bailout disguised as development.
This moment also exposes a much larger issue: Illinois’ ever-increasing property tax burden. For years, Democrats have responded not with reform, but with task forces and working groups. Meanwhile, property taxes continue to rise.
After decades of control, and supermajorities in the General Assembly for the past seven years, the majority party owns this problem.
Let us be clear: we are open to working with the Democrats. But any solution must address the property tax shift and include simple, common sense reforms that protect all taxpayers. We can start by moving all referendum questions to the November ballot, when voter participation is highest. We must end the use of backdoor referenda that sidestep transparency. We need to have discussions for all taxpayers in Illinois in the public square.
Ultimately, the goal is straightforward: any agreement must protect taxpayers, not stick them with the bill.
Read the rest of the opinion piece here.
EDUCATION
Schmidt, Schweizer Hold Press Conference on Kindergarten Requirement
State Representatives Kevin Schmidt and Brandun Schweizer held a press conference last week, alongside Principal Darla Wall from Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis, to discuss their support for a Kindergarten requirement.
HB 4253, filed by Rep. Schmidt and co-sponsored by Rep. Schweizer, would require all students in Illinois to enroll in kindergarten to learn essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before entering first grade. Currently, Illinois requires public schools to offer Kindergarten programs, but does not mandate attendance.
Schmidt says that these early years can set students up for an educational career of success, and all students should be prepared to enter the grade they are going into.
Schweizer, a sitting member of an Education committee, offered his thoughts.
“Early education and intervention are crucial for development,” said Rep. Schweizer. “By age 5, nearly 90% of brain growth has occurred, making Kindergarten a prime point for intervention, when entered by the age of 6. Our nation is facing a literacy crisis, with nearly a quarter of adults being illiterate and nearly 20% of adults facing illiteracy in Illinois alone. By requiring students to attend Kindergarten, we are taking strides to address those gaps.”
36th Annual Pie Day: Homeschool Advocates Come to the Capitol
Hundreds of homeschool families came to the Illinois State Capitol last week to advocate for homeschooling and speak to lawmakers about the benefits of this educational pathway. The cherry pies are handed out annually to lawmakers – a sweet tradition celebrating thriving homeschool freedom!
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie had the opportunity to speak to the group at the Illinois State Library. In her remarks, she acknowledged their impressive advocacy and reminded them to stay vigilant in light of poor public policy that came forward last year that threatened to limit homeschool freedom.
“You didn’t just show up last year… you showed what’s possible when people refuse to sit quietly,” said McCombie of the 48,000 voices that stood opposed to HB 2827 last year and stopped it in its tracks.
“Homeschooling works,” said McCombie. “It works because you are invested. It works because it’s focused on the child, not the system. And instead of learning from your success…too many under this dome are still trying to control it.”
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Democracy “Inaction” – Democrats put thumb on House scales
Last week was “committee deadline week” in the House, when bills must pass out of House committees with recommendations to be heard on the House floor for discussion and debate. Thousands of bills are introduced in each General Assembly and only a fraction of them get a green light to move forward.
When the House adjourned on Friday, March 27, its committees had reported 500 bills to the Illinois House floor for further discussion and debate. Almost 90% of these 500 bills were sponsored by majority Democrats. Although millions of votes are cast on the Republican side by Illinoisans every election day, only 56 of the 500 bills (11%) were sponsored by Republicans.
OUTDOOR SPORTS
Spring trout season opens
The Spring 2026 Illinois trout season will open on Saturday, April 4. Possession of a fishing license, plus a trout stamp, is required for almost all anglers who want to cast for trout. Exceptions to the fishing license/trout stamp requirement exist in favor of persons who are younger than age 16, blind, a person with disabilities, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Anglers often head towards one of the lakes and ponds of Illinois that have been stocked with trout. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has posted a list of stocked trout fishing locations.