FREEPORT, Ill. — Illinois’ sanctuary policies are facing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers after a tragic head-on collision on August 6 claimed the lives of Darcy Brunner, 61, the mother of former WNBA player Sophie Brunner, and Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, an undocumented immigrant with a history of DUI arrests.
According to the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 12:38 p.m. on Illinois Route 26 when Ico-Choc’s vehicle crossed the center line and collided with Brunner’s SUV. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.
At a press conference on Tuesday, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-45th) highlighted that Ico-Choc was known to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and had a detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to prior DUI offenses. Sheriff Steven Stovall noted toxicology reports are pending.
Chesney argued, “This wouldn’t have happened in Indiana or Iowa,” citing those states’ stricter policies on detaining repeat offenders who are undocumented. He criticized Illinois’ TRUST Act and Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary policies for creating “a revolving door for dangerous criminals.”
The TRUST Act, enacted in 2017, restricts state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities and was later amended by the Way Forward Act, adding protections for undocumented immigrants.
Chesney has introduced Senate Bill 1313, aiming to repeal the 2017 law and require the identification, reporting, and deportation of undocumented immigrants charged with or convicted of felonies.
Representative Tony Maccombie (R-89th) called the crash “a policy failure that may have been preventable,” lamenting the consequences of “soft on crime” laws falling on innocent families.
Representative John Cabello (R-90th) placed personal responsibility on Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats, saying, “This should not have happened, period. We have a life that was taken by somebody that shouldn’t have been here.” He stressed the importance of legal immigration and strict enforcement of immigration laws.
Illinois currently bars local authorities from cooperating with ICE under several laws, including the TRUST Act, Way Forward Act, Welcoming City Act, and ordinances such as those in Cook County.
Governor Pritzker has stated that violent noncitizens committing crimes should be imprisoned or deported. He also emphasized the need to protect all residents, including undocumented immigrants, while providing pathways to citizenship.
In June, Pritzker testified before a Republican-led congressional committee defending Illinois’ sanctuary policies, stating, “We will not participate in abuses of power. We will not violate court orders. We will not ignore the Constitution.” He praised Illinois’ approach to public safety, dignity, and economic support amid a broken federal immigration system.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Illinois’ sanctuary laws during a May visit to the state Capitol, accusing Governor Pritzker of violating the U.S. Constitution by opposing federal immigration enforcement.
The debate over Illinois’ immigration policies continues as the state grapples with balancing community safety, legal obligations, and immigration reform.