Some crises are unexpected. Others, such as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s migrant crisis, are invited.
Shortly after taking office, Pritzker proudly proclaimed, “Let there be no doubt that Illinois is a welcoming state.” He sent his invitation around the globe, announcing, “As the governor of Illinois, I proudly consent to the continuation of refugee admission to our state.”
In the years since, he has systematically incentivized noncitizens to come to Illinois through his policies and promotion.
Pritzker created and expanded a program that provides free health care to immigrants 42 to 64 years old, regardless of immigration status. Taxpayer-funded free health care is something all Illinois citizens, including those on Medicaid, could only dream of.
In addition to free medical care, the governor has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to expand programs and cash assistance for noncitizens and millions more on outreach efforts to advertise his taxpayer-funded perks.
Beyond his executive orders, the governor has signed a range of new laws, including legislation that prevents state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, to help cement Illinois as the destination state for noncitizens.
In essence, Pritzker has used your tax dollars to make Illinois a noncitizen welfare state.
His invitation to “the most welcoming state in the nation“ and the millions in Illinois taxpayer dollars spent to promote his message are getting traction. As thousands of migrants began accepting his invitation in the summer of 2022, Pritzker doubled down when he greeted the first busloads with open arms and promises of assistance.
Unfortunately for Illinois taxpayers, and the scores of under-resourced communities in our state, the results of his irresponsible policies have been total chaos. As with so many areas of state government that continue to flounder under his leadership, Pritzker’s rhetoric has far exceeded his ability to manage.
As this crisis that he invited grows, Pritzker has yet to put forward a meaningful plan. Instead, he has ruled by executive order transferring money and resources, making it almost impossible to put an actual dollar amount on the full scope of his spending. Ultimately, whatever that total is — we’re all paying for it.
I’m a first-generation American. I understand, on a personal level, that immigrants are a critical fiber to the fabric of our society. My parents came to this country on different boats with the same American Dream. They met each other here, in the great state of Illinois, and together, they built a family, a business and a life they were proud of.
This isn’t an argument about the value of immigration and the role it has played in building the United States of America. It’s a question of reality, of management and of what our already overtaxed residents can afford. The people of Illinois cannot afford the misplaced priorities, radical policies and grandiose promises of a governor seeking attention on the national stage.
There is also no question as to who is going to be picking up his tab.
Illinoisans with developmental disabilities who can’t access critical services are paying for it. Low-income families who rely on programs that help pay for food, shelter and utilities are paying for it. Small businesses that are still struggling from pandemic-related loss are paying for it. Neglected veterans in need of lifesaving mental health services are paying for it.
There should be no mistake — the Illinois migrant crisis is no accident. Pritzker implemented and advertised radical policies to attract noncitizens to Illinois, and now that his generous invitation has been accepted, he is deflecting blame for his mismanagement.
In the coming months, as the governor tries to stick Illinoisans with the ever-increasing bill for his misplaced priorities, we will remind him that this is a crisis that he not just invited — but also created.
State Sen. John Curran, the Senate Republican leader, represents Illinois’ 41st District.
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