Will County Gazette

Homer Township Supervisor and Will County Board member Steve Balich has expressed strong concerns about the state’s escalating drug crisis and its connection to immigration policies. 

Speaking on recent events, Balich criticized the Biden administration's handling of the southern border. 

"The biggest concern I have is with the proliferation of fentanyl,” Balich told Will County Gazette. “This drug is the most dangerous of all, and its presence will only worsen as long as the border remains open. The cartels will continue to exploit the situation, leading to potential street wars as they vie for control."

Balich’s remarks come in the wake of a significant drug bust in Marengo, where Gloria Gastelum and German Vargas were caught with 120,000 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone. 

This latest arrest follows a previous incident where two Mexican nationals were apprehended in McHenry County for allegedly smuggling 17 kilos of methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

“This seizure is a stark reminder of the dangers we face,” he said. “If the National Guard were stationed at the border, we could potentially prevent such incidents. We need to close the border completely—no more airplanes, no more trains—just shut it down entirely and address the issue.”

In response to the influx of undocumented immigrants, Balich has implemented stringent measures in Homer Township. 

“I issued an executive order last Christmas Eve stipulating that if illegal immigrants are brought to our town, we will impound the bus and impose a $1,000 fine,” he said. 

He acknowledged, however, that Homer Township's limited amenities make it less attractive for immigrants compared to larger neighboring towns.

Balich also voiced skepticism about the broader implications of immigration policies, suggesting they are politically motivated. 

“I believe the Democratic Party is leveraging this situation to gain more electoral power,” he said. “They’re increasing their congressional seats by allowing undocumented immigrants to stay and even vote, which distorts the democratic process.”

According to Bloomberg News, the state’s illegal alien population has risen over 821% in the past two years. The current illegal immigrant population in the state sits at around 100,000. 

According to the Heritage Foundation, critics of current policies claim that Democratic-controlled states have gained disproportionate political power by counting illegal aliens, which impacts congressional districting and Electoral College votes.  

Former President Donald Trump had attempted to address this issue by excluding noncitizens from apportionment, but President Biden reversed this policy, fueling concerns about representation being distorted by a border crisis. 

A legislative proposal, backed by U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) seeks to ensure only American citizens are counted, aiming to restore fairness in electoral representation.

Hagerty said the current state of affairs would result in Democrats picking up 13 congressional seats after the 2030 Census, noting the Democrats “want these illegal migrants to create more electoral power for them in their blue states." 

Elon Musk also accused Democratic politicians of using illegal immigration to enhance their political influence through congressional apportionment. 

In a post on X, Musk highlighted that allowing noncitizens into the country increases the electoral power of Democratic-controlled states, as these states receive more representation in Congress and the Electoral College based on total population counts. 

Musk argued that this practice distorts political representation and warned of the potential for long-term impacts if Democrats gain control and grant citizenship to these individuals. 

"Increasing illegals boosts Dem voting power, causing them to recruit even more! If Dems win the President, House & Senate (with enough seats to overcome filibuster), they'll grant citizenship to all illegals & America will become a permanent one-party deep socialist state," he said in a post on X. 

Musk, an advocate for legal immigration and a legal immigrant himself, also criticized the current system for its inconsistencies and inefficiencies, emphasizing the need for reform.

Balich criticized state leadership and questioned the integrity of current policies. 

“We’re living in a state governed by what seems like a dictatorship,” he said. “The Democratic representatives are causing harm, and every resident is affected by these policies. It’s time for a change, and I believe the voters will make their voices heard at the polls.”