McLean County Times

Illinois State Senator Chris Balkema, representing District 53, expressed his views on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago. "No one should be obstructing federal immigration law," he said in a Facebook post dated February 10.

"I'm praying for a peaceful end to this standoff," said Balkema, according to Facebook. "No one should be obstructing federal immigration law and hindering cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement."

The post featured a segment from The Ingraham Angle, where Chicago resident Vashon Tuncle voiced his concerns. Tuncle said that Chicagoans support President Donald Trump and desire his visit to the city. He criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker for not fulfilling their oaths to protect the citizens of Chicago, alleging that their policies favor illegal immigrants at the expense of addressing issues like drugs and crime. The article also mentioned Alderman Ray Lopez's criticism of the mayor's approach, accusing him of prioritizing hyper-liberal white progressives over Black, Latino, and undocumented residents.

Screenshot of State Senator Chris Balkema's Feb.10 Facebook post. | State Senator Chris Balkema's Facebook page

Chicago has been identified as a significant target for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations under President Trump's administration. According to an ABC7 report, immigration officials have conducted raids in the city since shortly after Trump assumed office. In response to the DOJ lawsuit on February 7, Governor Pritzker remarked that Illinois is resilient and suggested that Florida might tolerate such actions more readily than Illinois would. He further said that Trump "has no idea what he is up against" when challenging Illinois.

Mayor Johnson told NPR that Chicago remains steadfast in its policy that the police department will not participate in immigration enforcement activities. He reiterated that the city will continue to advocate for working people.

Balkema was elected to represent the 53rd Senate District in 2024. His political career includes serving on the Grundy County Board since 2010, where he has held the position of chairman since 2016. With a 31-year tenure at Caterpillar, Balkema is also involved with the Grundy County Economic Development Council and Taylor University Business Advisory Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Systems from Taylor University and an MBA from Bradley University. Balkema resides in Channahon with his wife; they have two sons attending college.