I have been around the world several times and have found that people in other countries marvel at our democracy.
I agree with President Abraham Lincoln that we are a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Unfortunately, our democracy is losing its appeal in America. A recent Gallup and Kettering Foundation public poll found 61% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working. Both political parties are to blame as well as our education system.
Our politics have become too partisan and have inspired violence. We are a nation of laws. What example are leaders setting by protecting people who crossed our borders illegally? Illinois leaders fighting against President Donald Trump could jeopardize federal resources that are needed for our citizens.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress for 2024, also known as “the nation’s report card,” showed 38% of Illinois fourth graders were proficient in math and 30% in reading. And the results for Black and Hispanic students nationwide are very concerning. As of 2022, Black student reading proficiency for eighth grade was 16%. Simply put, 84% of eighth grade Black students lack proficiency in reading skills.
There is a direct correlation between literacy and the criminal justice system. The problems in society reflect a failure of our system of education. Black youths are reading at rates of youths in developing nations. This is unacceptable. If children cannot read or do basic math, their chances for upward social mobility are limited. Democracy dies from an uneducated, uniformed and illiterate citizenry.
This is a crisis. If Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Illinois General Assembly exerted the same zeal toward making sure our children can read and do basic math as they have to protecting migrants, our children and communities would be in a better place.
Democracy thrives because of the rule of law and elected leaders listening to the people. Without laws, a country devolves into anarchy and lawlessness. Last week, the Department of Justice filed suit against Illinois, Chicago and Cook County in response to their sanctuary laws, which forbid local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities regarding deportations of immigrants in the U.S. without permanent legal status.
Interestingly, Illinois Democrats profess to be the guardians of democracy, but they have refused to allow voters a voice on whether we should continue our sanctuary status. Perhaps they suspect, like I do, that the citizens of Illinois would vote against sanctuary status.
President Donald Trump in part won the election because Democrats failed to secure our borders. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pritzker said Illinois will “stand in the way” of federal efforts that break Illinois law. Of violent criminals, he said, “We don’t want them in our state. We want them out of the country. We hope they do get deported, and if that’s who they’re picking up, we’re all for it.” Pritzker cannot have it both ways. He either supports the laws of America or he doesn’t. He cannot hide behind Illinois’ Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
In Chicago, Johnson has not deviated from prior public statements. During an interview with NPR, Johnson said, “As the mayor of the city of Chicago, I reaffirmed our commitment to being a sanctuary city, also pledging to defend the Illinois Trust Act as a sanctuary state to ensure that all residents’ rights are protected.”
Recently, the Chicago City Council voted 39-11 to table an ordinance that would have amended the Welcoming City Ordinance. The proposed amendment would have allowed police to work with federal immigration authorities when someone has been arrested or convicted for certain crimes.
Preckwinkle said county officials would protect immigrants in the country without legal permission. “Our public defender’s office is playing a key role in this fight. They have been working to provide legal representation to our immigrants facing deportation, ensuring that due process isn’t a privilege reserved for just a few.”
What about Illinois students who can’t compete because they lack reading and math skills? What about our neighbors trapped in crime-ridden, underresourced neighborhoods? It is common sense that law enforcement in every state should communicate with federal officials regarding migrants without permanent legal status.
The following are recommendations to restore faith in democracy:
- Pritzker, Johnson and Preckwinkle should allow law enforcement to work with ICE officials to remove migrants here without permanent legal status who have been convicted of crimes.
- Pritzker, Johnson and Preckwinkle should listen to their constituents regarding sanctuary status.
- Democrats and Republicans should work with Trump to strengthen immigration laws.
- Democratic leaders should allow school choice and tie pay raises for teachers to student performance.
Legal immigration is not a partisan issue. People would not leave the door to their home unlocked for strangers to walk in. Democratic leaders allowed millions of people to enter our country, and Illinois leaders are fighting harder to protect them over their own citizens. That’s shameful.
Our citizens are struggling with crime, unemployment and an education crisis. Democratic leaders should work with the administration and prioritize Illinois citizens.
I write this commentary to make those comfortable with ignoring the rule of law as it relates to immigration uncomfortable.
Willie Wilson is a business owner, philanthropist and former mayoral candidate.
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