Will County Gazette

Homer Township Supervisor and Will County Board member Steve Balich has raised alarm bells over what he perceives as escalating issues related to illegal immigration and rising crime rates and their impact on local residents. 

He voiced particular disdain for what he considers to be ineffective federal policies and what he understands to be the failures of local governance.

“There are people coming from all corners, including many who are undocumented, and they are exploiting our system,” Balich told the Will County Gazette. “The federal government isn’t giving them enough support, and now they are turning to alternative ways to survive. This results in increased crime and disorder, which our communities have to bear the brunt of.”

Balich is proposing a new ordinance aimed at addressing what he describes as a crisis in housing and public safety.

“We need to take drastic measures,” said Balich. “I’ve instructed my lawyers to prepare a bill for our next township meeting that will outlaw squatters. This isn’t just about people occupying vacant homes; it’s about the surge of individuals who are exploiting our legal system, claiming squatter rights and essentially taking over properties without any legal recourse for the owners.”

The Illinois Safe-T Act, a piece of legislation that permits the release of accused criminals without requiring bail, has drawn skepticism from Balich.

“The Safe-T Act makes it easier for criminals to evade consequences,” he said. “Gang members and thieves are thriving under these new regulations. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for law-abiding citizens to feel safe.”

Balich said he has heard reports of illegal immigrants engaging in public disorder and criminal activity.

“We’re seeing more incidents where people are getting beaten up, not just by organized gangs but also by individuals who are exploiting the lack of oversight,” he said. “We’re witnessing theft becoming commonplace, with people walking out of stores with goods without paying.”

He also shared concerns about the broader societal impacts of the influx of undocumented immigrants. 

“These individuals are coming in from every direction—by border crossings, flights, trains, and boats,” he said. “How can we even begin to account for how many are entering? We’re talking about potentially 20 million people, and the citizens are expected to cover the costs of their needs.”

He said selective prosecution by prosecutors, who are more likely to go after those defending themselves rather than illegal alien perpetrators, emboldens would be criminals.

“You hear that you can carry a gun on Metra trains now,” he said. “But what happens if someone with a knife attacks you? You’re forced to defend yourself, but then you face legal battles and potential financial ruin. It feels like the system is set up against us, the citizens, and in favor of those who break the law.”

Balich did not shy away from controversial statements regarding asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants. 

“We’re told to call them asylum seekers, but as far as I’m concerned, they are illegals. They’re being used as pawns to shift electoral dynamics in favor of certain political agendas,” he said. “With so many people moving in, we’re facing a real threat of our communities being overwhelmed. The costs are astronomical, and the average citizen is left footing the bill.”

With nearly 700,000 undocumented residents in Illinois, the economic and social costs are substantial, including billions spent by taxpayers annually.

Balich added that he believes politicians, in charge of Illinois, are attempting to increase the number of residents in the state prior to the next U.S. Census in order to maintain congressional representatives and electoral votes. 

“They're using the illegals as a way to get more electoral votes because they're losing seats in the Democrat areas, because everyone's moving out, because they can't afford the taxes. Sure. And their people are replacing them in the Democratic areas. Otherwise they are losing the electoral seats.” 

Illinois, notably, lost a congressional seat in the 2020 Census due to population loss. 

The rise in organized crime activities, such as human trafficking and drug dealing linked to foreign cartels, has intensified the debate over the consequences of sanctuary city policies.

Balich’s comments come after reports emerged of illegal alien gang members, allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, who were accused of taking over an apartment building on South King Drive in Chicago. 

This incident coincided with a series of threats made on social media by a TikTok user claiming involvement with local street gangs.

The TikTok user, who identified himself as affiliated with native Chicago street gangs, issued a chilling threat in response to the alleged gang activities. 

“This ain’t Colorado. This is just like where you’re from. The only difference is… we got switches,” he said. 

In gang parlance, a “switch” refers to a device that converts a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic weapon, underscoring the potential for increased violence. In Aurora, Colorado, similar fears have been stoked by video footage showing gang members armed with long rifles overtaking apartment buildings, further fueling concerns about gang violence.

Balich said he fears native gangs, and those linked to cartel syndicates, will get into a turf war, warning of dire consequences if current trends continue. 

“We’re on a path that could lead to a situation similar to what happened in Detroit in the 90s,” he said. “If we don’t address these issues, we could see our communities deteriorate, with rising taxes and dwindling public services.”

NBC Chicago has noted that Venezuelan gangs have emerged in the city. The situation has sparked fears about escalating violence. 

Jean Torres-Roman, a known member of the Tren de Aragua gang, was arrested in Chicago for illegal possession of a weapon but was subsequently released by a local judge, despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement's request for detention. 

Torres-Roman’s release came just a month before he was involved in a violent jewelry heist in Denver, Colorado. He was later apprehended in New Mexico after fleeing from the Denver incident.

The situation raises significant questions about sanctuary city policies, particularly Illinois’s TRUST Act of 2017, which designated the state as a sanctuary for illegal aliens. 

The TRUST Act has come under scrutiny for complicating law enforcement efforts against organized crime.