Will County Gazette

Samantha Gasca, a candidate for Senate District 19, has voiced her concerns about what she perceives as an influx of undocumented immigrants in the southwest suburbs. Her apprehensions are largely due to the support extended to these immigrants by her opponent, State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).

“The southwest suburbs are currently being overrun with thousands of illegal immigrants invited here by their own state senator, Michael Hastings,” Gasca said on Facebook. “Buses are arriving daily.”

“We do not know who the people are (e.g., criminal backgrounds) or anything about them, other than most aren’t able to speak English, most have no money, and they have an expectation to be fed/for us to provide housing… seemingly prioritizing them over our neighbors.”

In light of these circumstances, Gasca expressed disappointment and called for stronger leadership. She said that the constituents deserve better. 

“And amidst this invasion, has our senator, Mike Hastings, hidden from the public? His last three public statements, made this week were: promoting a recycling event, Touch-A-Truck, and wishing people a ‘Happy Kwaanza,’” Gasca said. “Senator Hastings, will you commit to protect our communities?”

The situation described by Gasca is corroborated by reports from suburban police in Chicagoland who are dealing with an increase in undocumented immigrants arriving by bus. This surge is straining resources in municipalities like Lockport and Joliet. The Will County Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with local authorities in response. Emergency orders and ordinances have been issued by local authorities in places like Fox River Grove and Elmhurst. Furthermore, the Aurora City Council has approved an ordinance requiring transportation companies to give advance notice of bus arrivals, according to West Cook News.

Gasca, who has a diverse background in radio, counseling, and business, has been actively engaged as the Radio Program Content Coordinator and Data Analyst at Moody Radio since March 2018. According to her LinkedIn profile, she also owns and operates God Heard LLC, a platform established in July 2021 that offers pastoral counseling, life coaching, and business consulting services.

Senate District 19 is currently represented by Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). The district includes all or parts of Lockport, New Lenox, Mokena, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Homer Glen, Joliet, Richton Park, University Park, Matteson, Homewood, Flossmoor, Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Markham and Oak Forest, according to the district map on Ballotpedia.