Woodford Co Illinois Declares Non-Sanctuary Status As Large Increase in Migrant Influx Soon Expected

County Board passes resolution to limit services for undocumented migrants

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The Woodford County Board in Eureka, Illinois, has passed a resolution designating the county as a "non-sanctuary" for undocumented migrants. This decision aligns Woodford County with 12 other conservative counties in the state that have adopted similar resolutions in response to fears about the influx of migrants sent to Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The resolution emerged from discussions between county board member Zachary Ferris and state Representative Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamora, about Governor JB Pritzker potentially redistributing migrants from Chicago to other parts of Illinois to alleviate the city's burden. Ferris also sought input from Chris Balkema, the Grundy County Board chairman and presumptive next 53rd District state senator.

"This resolution is not about conducting ICE raids or similar actions," Ferris explained. "It addresses the sudden relocation of migrants from Chicago or other counties to our area with minimal notice, leaving us without resources to support individuals who are not legally allowed to reside in our county or the country."

Since August 2022, Chicago has seen the arrival of over 41,000 migrants. Migrants have also been sent to other parts of Illinois; for instance, a plane carrying 355 migrants landed in Rockford last December, with the individuals having been transported from Texas.

In September, Governor Pritzker allocated $41.5 million to communities willing to host asylum seekers. Urbana was the only community outside the Chicago metropolitan area to accept the offer. A spokesperson for the governor categorically denied that the state would move migrants downstate without prior notification.