Will County Gazette

Dr. Nona Parker, a candidate for Illinois House District 98, expressed her views on sanctuary city policies, stating they are misguided because only legal citizens should receive benefits and immigration laws must be upheld. She made this statement during an interview.

"A person that has entered our country illegally should not be afforded the privileges and accommodations of its legal citizens," said Nona Parker. "Although the process is long, citizenship is attainable and the legal processes set in place for it should be followed. No city in this country should be designated as a safe haven for persons that enter illegally. Illegal is illegal."

The debates over sanctuary city policies in Illinois primarily focus on Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance and state laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. According to the Illinois Attorney General, the TRUST Act and the 2021 Way Forward Act restrict police from participating in civil immigration cases. Meanwhile, the city ordinance ensures undocumented residents can access services without fear, which has sparked discussions regarding costs and public safety.

Chicago has allocated substantial funds to support migrants as part of its sanctuary policies. WTTW reports that the city budgeted $150 million for migrant support in 2024, a decrease from over $300 million in 2023. This underscores the fiscal impact on local services while balancing safety, shelter, and humanitarian needs.

Immigration trends indicate that Illinois has a significant foreign-born population. The Migration Policy Institute states that in 2023, approximately 1.88 million Illinois residents (15% of the state's population) were foreign-born. This includes about 528,600 noncitizens and an estimated 425,000 unauthorized immigrants residing in the state, influencing policy debates over education, health care, and public safety.

Dr. Parker is also known as the founder and CEO of The Hope Center of Joliet, a nonprofit organization focused on youth and adult education, family services, and community outreach. She launched the Excel Homeschool Academy and collaborates with foster care providers, reflecting her more than 25 years of grassroots leadership experience. Professionally, Parker brings 21 years of corporate accounting experience at CITGO with expertise in financial reconciliation; she is also a pastor and published author with an honorary Doctorate of Divinity. Her campaign for State Representative aims to deliver tax relief, advocate for school choice, and enhance transparency in state spending—reforming systems that burden families while failing students and seniors.