Will County Gazette

It’s been opined that some in the Democratic Party have called for radical changes to America’s health care landscape, prompting a Republican candidate for Will County executive to speculate whether his Democratic opponent, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, plans to institute similar policies if elected.

“I'm questioning whether or not she will support further issues pertaining to sanctuary counties, sanctuary cities and sanctuary states, such as the issuance of universal health care for illegal aliens,” said Nick Ficarello, a retired police officer running against Bertino-Tarrant for Will County executive. 

Bertino-Tarrant has served as a senator, representing District 49, since 2012 and previously as the Will County regional school superintendent from 2007 to 2013. She is not seeking re-election to the Senate, according to Ballotpedia.

“There is no balance of government in Will County currently because every elected office is held by a Democrat,” Ficarello told the Will County Gazette. “So towing the strict Democratic Party line that's presented from the top down could be easily achieved by Bertino-Tarrant.”

Illinois became a sanctuary state in 2017 when Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Trust Act, prohibiting state law enforcement from cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to media reports.

“Currently, the Democratic Party is supporting health care for all, including illegal aliens,” said Ficarello in an interview. “If Bertino-Tarrant tows the party line and Democrats gain control of Will County, taxpayers will be footing insurance for illegal aliens. Also, Will County taxpayers and workers will suffer due to overall lower wages because of the influx into the U.S. and Will County of illegals.”

“The Democrats are more concerned about open borders and people crossing the border with who-knows-what kind of disease than they are about the COVID-19 situation or people not practicing social distancing while protesting,” Ficarello added.

As previously reported, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to suspend green cards for two months in an effort to protect Americans from the competition of international workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order impacts people applying for green cards through employment, family or other means.

“I agree with the president’s total ban on immigration until we turn this economy back around to help out the American citizens first, especially minorities who have really suffered from this COVID crisis and the loss of jobs,” said Ficarello. “We have to take care of our own first before we can solve all the world's problems.”