Will County Gazette

Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle has expressed his disapproval of the open border policies that have resulted in tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants entering Illinois. The Frankfort community, according to Ogle, is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in the state.

“It is unfortunate that no real action has been taken to secure our border, and suburban communities such as Oak Brook are reporting increased crime from recent arrivals,” Ogle told Will County Gazette. “Our citizens are concerned about the inability to properly screen for health issues and criminal backgrounds and that we all may be put at risk. This is a national problem that is being laid on our doorstep and we are expected to pay for it.”

“It is completely inappropriate that funding and services for our residents is being diverted from its intended purpose. We have made no plans to accept migrants as requested by Chicago Mayor Johnson.”

“We have explored the options with our legal counsel and we have been working with Will County EMA. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Frankfort already has police/traffic ordinances in place that we will use as well as ordinances that address short-term housing.”

Since late December, when Chicago started implementing fines and threatening to impound non-compliant buses dropping off undocumented immigrants within city limits without prior notice, these individuals have been left further afield. According to Patch, this policy shift has led to drop-offs in suburban communities with Metra access.

In one instance reported by West Cook News, six undocumented immigrants were arrested in a single day at the Oak Brook Macy’s for theft. Two of these individuals were apprehended for allegedly stealing over $10,000 worth of goods.

During a Hinsdale Village Board meeting last month where drop-offs were prohibited, officials reported being informed by a bus driver that such occurrences were expected to continue through March. The DuPage Policy Journal reported that the frequency of daily drop-offs throughout the state has varied greatly, sometimes exceeding 10 instances per day and approaching 800 people.

The situation has grown more urgent due to reports that over 34,000 undocumented immigrants have arrived in Illinois since mid-2022. This influx has intensified calls for stronger border control measures. Last fall saw Illinois allocate $42.5 million in grant monies for municipalities to house undocumented immigrants. Capitol News Illinois reports that Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana and Chicago have received grant funds from the state to assist with housing and other needs. In total, the state has allocated $500 million for the care of undocumented immigrants.