Two takes on Wheaton
Monday, Sep 8, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Daily Herald…
At least 250 people protesting on the streets of Wheaton Saturday made one message clear — they don’t want immigration agents arresting people in their hometown.
Standing along sidewalks in front of a Jewel-Osco store at Main Street and Geneva Road, they held signs, rang bells, drummed and chanted.
“ICE out of Wheaton! We are all Wheaton,” cried Cristobal Cavazos of Casa DuPage Workers Center, rallying the crowd of mostly white, middle-aged and older people, which was the point. “He (President Donald Trump) did not take into account his base of older, white Americans would fight back.” […]
Organizers of the Wheaton protest chose the Jewel-Osco site because an immigrant man was arrested in the store’s parking lot Aug. 1.
* Illinois Republican State Central Committeeperson Jeanne Ives, who lives in Wheaton…
THESE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR MINDS!
First, Wheaton is not a hotspot for illegals to reside. Even though we are the home of World Relief, that organization brings in bona fide refugees who have been vetted. Yes, Wheaton has several progressive Christian organizations that have bought into the “No one is Illegal” mantra, but there is not a lot of low-income housing or jobs available in the city.
Second, Wheaton is one of the safest cities in Illinois precisely because our laws are enforced. These ingrates don’t appreciate that they are literally demanding that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement not enforce our national laws. It’s either that, or they think ICE is wrongly enforcing the laws. Which is it, organizers?
And what exactly does “Harm to One is Harm to All” mean? Maybe the organizers should ask if the harm – murder of Katie Abraham and her friend Chloe Polzin – by an illegal alien in Champaign means harm to all. Why aren’t they focused on that? Or the harm illegals do by just simply flaunting our laws and expecting us to pick up the tab for everything.
This particular rally in Wheaton, though, is just trying to get the Democrats riled up in the suburbs for political gain. They are looking to piggyback on all the attention Chicago is receiving about the threat of heightened ICE enforcement and possibly the National Guard coming to patrol the streets of the City.
Ms. Ives is widely rumored to be on the short-list of potential running mates for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski.
- Roadrager - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:34 am:
Jeanne joins the chorus of people who never thought the leopards would eat their faces.
Don’t know if it was ICE, but someone had helicopters circling noted left-wing criminal stronghold Bolingbrook on Saturday afternoon, and then they moved onto the destitute den of sin that is Lombard later in the day.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:36 am:
“Or the harm illegals do by just simply flaunting our laws and expecting us to pick up the tab for everything.”
Behold this intellectual putting her taxpayer gifted West Point education to good use. You’re welcome Jeanne!
- low level - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:49 am:
==This particular rally in Wheaton, though, is just trying to get the Democrats riled up in the suburbs for political gain==
Wrong again, Jeannie. Thats what you and Donnie do to get Republicans riled up for political gain.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:50 am:
“Wheaton has several progressive Christian organizations that have bought into the “No one is Illegal” mantra.”
And, unfortunately, far too many purported Christians have bought into the “shun outsiders” mantra espoused by the perpetually afraid right.
- City Zen - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:53 am:
==These ingrates==
Stay classy, Jeanne. She made some valid points, but throwing in random insults only servves to distract from the message.
==potential running mates for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski==
That would be a suburban-heavy ticket. Maybe they think downstate Republican vote is already locked in and they need to draw Chlcagoland independents?
- Samantha - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:54 am:
Ives running with Dabrowski would certainly be great news for all the other GOP gubernatorial aspirants. Talk about a millstone.
- JoeMaddon - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:54 am:
Jeanne Ives also pushed out the silly fake news that Chicago was using salt trucks/plows to block ICE.
I hope Dabrowski wins, and he picks Ives. That would be perfect.
- Crispy - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:55 am:
@Larry Bowa Jr. If she’d paid for her own education, might she have learned the difference between “flaunting” and “flouting”?
- Johnny B - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:56 am:
Taxpayer gifted education at West Point?
West Point graduates are obligated to serve 5 years active duty as commissioned officers and 3 years in the reserves
Can you think of any other “gifts” that require 8 years of service?
- Steve - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 9:58 am:
-they don’t want immigration agents arresting people in their hometown.-
What towns are they supposed to arrest illegal aliens?
- Confused... - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:01 am:
Has anyone explained to Jeanne that an undocumented immigrant has broken no law by failing to have legal status. It is a civil violation like a parking ticket or a citation for not mowing your lawn.
Many of these individuals pay their taxes and have lived here for many years harming no one. One anecdotal example is not proof all undocumented workers are “criminals” She may be correct in saying that someone has “lost their mind”, just not the people she thinks.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:04 am:
“I think everyone in this state is an ingrate…now vote for me, you ingrates!”
Hey, that winning message worked for Trump. Maybe she’s on to something…
- H-W - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:10 am:
=== Yes, Wheaton has several progressive Christian organizations that have bought into the “No one is Illegal” mantra ===
Ives seems to be suggesting that some Christians are problematic. Interesting spin there. I would love to hear more of her thoughts on which aspects of Christianity are problematic.
- Johnny B - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:12 am:
Are you really saying graduates from our military academies don’t pay for their education through their minimum of 8 years of service to our country?
- muzzle of bees - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:27 am:
I’ve been around politics most of my adult life, and it simply disgusts me now. from the rise of the Illinois plutocracy, to the willingness of people to do or say anything, regardless of truth or consequence, just to get attention and clicks. the non stop hyperbole and text message fundraising has caused me to simply tune out everybody, good as well as bad. that’s unfortunate.
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:30 am:
@Larry Bowa—A West Point degree comes with a massive amount of service to the Country. Does Illinois require any service to the state for scholarships?
To the post, DuPage has always had the 2nd largest Dem population in the state. They just didn’t have a majority in the County. In 2016, only 1 Democrat was on the County Board, and Trump was elected. in 2018 the County shifted due to President Trump and hasn’t looked back. If you look at the data, the suburban R’s who were 3’s have now broken towards the Dem party. The 5’s are still 5’s but the moderates and casual voters have broken away from the GOP in DuPage as long as Trump is running the show. We’ll see if they can recover after trump but by then the Dems should have a pretty solid lock.
- 8657 - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:37 am:
==Has anyone explained to Jeanne that an undocumented immigrant has broken no law by failing to have legal status. It is a civil violation like a parking ticket or a citation for not mowing your lawn.==
Regardless of differing views on detention and deportation, it is important to acknowledge that unlawful entry into the United States constitutes a criminal offense. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a), improper entry—such as entering without inspection—is punishable by up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both for a first offense. Repeat violations may result in penalties of up to two years of imprisonment. Suggesting otherwise provides unnecessary talking points for hardliners. There are more effective arguments available for opposing the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:47 am:
Someone needs to explain to Ives that:
1) ICE enforcement has nothing to do with criminal activity, and
2) “Bona fide refugees” are on the menu, and
3) It is no longer about “undocumented” immigrants. We are arresting people at the courthouse. They have documents, that is how ICE finds them, and
4) I guarantee there are middle-class, upper middle class people living in Wheaton who have not completed their citizenship step yet, and are at risk of getting popped by ICE over a speeding ticket.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:59 am:
“has caused me to simply tune out everybody”
That’s an understandable trauma response.
“that’s unfortunate.”
That’s also completely under your control. You aren’t a passive observer of your own life.
Old patterns of engagement which used to work, no longer work. Creating new patterns is hard, uncomfortable and takes effort.
It’s worth it though. Otherwise, the new patterns of someone else will be imposed upon you.
- PoliticsD - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:04 am:
Ives is the Phillies Karen
- Annon'in - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:15 am:
MS/Mr Johnny B
re: West Point graduates are obligated to serve 5 years active duty as commissioned officers and 3 years in the reserves Can you think of any other “gifts” that require 8 years of service?
All great questions. Many have been workin’ to fill out the details of the Commandos resume for years. some know she got a free govt paid trip to Europe and may have taught ROTC, but other postings a hazy.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:18 am:
=== in 2018 the County shifted due to President Trump===
Obama won it in 2004, 08 and 12.
- John Lopez - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:29 am:
=== “Harm to One is Harm to All” ===
Sounds like a progressive variation of the QAnon’s WWG1WGA: “Where we go one, we go all”
- Wildcat - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:36 am:
I already no not take Dabrowski seriously, but if he picks Ives over Bryant that might be the most bone headed move he could make.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:46 am:
“Can you think of any other “gifts” that require 8 years of service?”
I have family who took Jeanie’s exact route, from the sticks of South Dakota to West Point, so no I’m not going to pretend against all evidence and common sense that attending one of the most prestigious schools on earth followed by 8 years of being paid to work in the field you studied to join is some kind of huge financial sacrifice. You make an excellent living and in my family’s case you retire at 50 with absolutely gold plated benefits compared to the average American. It’s more than a fair trade, the people who take it benefit from it. That’s why they take it. That’s why Jeanne has all this time on her hands while other people her age are still working for a living.
- Morty - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:48 am:
Mean Jeanne proving once again why she’s a serious contender for the worst person in the world award
- Center Drift - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 11:54 am:
- Thomas Paine - Let’s look at your assertion that ICE has nothing to do with law enforcement. The federal government has passed laws regarding immigration. People who enter the country disregarding those laws are by definition law breakers, or in other words engaging in criminal activity. ICE is charged with protecting our country from those who disregard our immigration laws. So please help me understand how ICE has nothing to do with criminal activity?
- BE - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 12:07 pm:
==Sounds like a progressive variation of the QAnon’s WWG1WGA: “Where we go one, we go all”==
It’s from a couple of different places.
“An injury to one is an injury to all” is one of the motto’s of the Industrial Workers of the World. “Harm to one is harm to all” is philosopher John Stuart Mill is Harm Principle.
- Steve - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 12:19 pm:
- but if he picks Ives over Bryant-
It really doesn’t matter who’s picked. Illinois isn’t a swing state. Illinois likes high taxes , generous public pensions, and high union costs. That’s that.
- Pundent - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 12:51 pm:
=People who enter the country disregarding those laws are by definition law breakers, or in other words engaging in criminal activity.=
There are laws prohibiting parking in front of fire hydrants. We don’t imprison people who break that law. Or as is the case with ICE we don’t capture them at the courthouse when they go to pay the fine.
- OneMan - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 1:20 pm:
“I guarantee there are middle-class, upper middle class people living in Wheaton who have not completed their citizenship step yet, and are at risk of getting popped by ICE over a speeding ticket.”
Along with Wheaton there are a significant number of folks like that in near by Naperville.
Wait till the they start going after the South Asian community more, which is going to happen, and the pushback you will see from the Naperville area
- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
ICE handles both criminal warrants and civil detentions. ICE was created to go after the serious threats like terrorism and transnational criminals (think cartels, organized crime) after 9-11. It’s a fairly new organization and it has never shown much interest in it’s primary role instead focusing on getting its numbers up which means focusing on people easy to find. There’s no rational reason to have ICE be a separate agency if it isn’t pursuing serious threats. We have Border Patrol for standard immigration work such as enforcing civil violations. Border Patrol has never been a well run organization, but it’s needed in some form and could easily handle what ICE does now. ICE has long had low standards and now is lowering those standards further.
There’s no need to have kitted out guys acting like operators to go after someone who overstayed a Visa. A majority of detentions in many years are for civil violations and Chicago has been half and half according to ICE. It’s an agency built on juking the stats and it just needs to go away with responsibilities sent to Border Patrol.
Currently 71 percent of detainees have no criminal convictions. That’s fine, but the way we have handled this fairly effectively for a long time is that many of those folks are waiting on hearings and we put them on parole because it is cheaper and we were getting up to 90 percent compliance. It was more humane, it was cheaper, and it was just as effective. Many of these people have outstanding claims including asylum claims. Even worse, a huge class of people from countries like Haiti and Venezuela have had temporary legal status revoked. At one time we cared about people and the danger they faced in authoritarian regimes.
Many of these people tried to play by the rules and between the rules being completely broken themselves, they have been detained when they are willing to go through the process without detention. What’s the point of all of this then?
- Steve - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 1:26 pm:
-prohibiting parking in front of fire hydrants-
Federal immigration law is quite different from state and local laws.
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:09 pm:
=Are you really saying graduates from our military academies don’t pay for their education through their minimum of 8 years of service to our country?=
You mean paid service with full benefits? So, yes. They were not donating their time.
=There’s no need to have kitted out guys acting like operators to go after someone who overstayed a Visa. =
Today’s ICE has all the makings of other groups in history that lowered standards (basically filled the ranks with misfits that couldn’t get into the regular military) and used them as a paramilitary force.
=Federal immigration law is quite different from state and local laws.=
Not really. Laws are laws. Some statutes are civil and some criminal. People showing up for their check ins or legal proceedings seem to be in compliance (at least at the time). People with active green card status that are summarily revoked and deported were not breaking the law.
What happened to the “we are going after MS-13 ” and other boogey man stuff?
- low level - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:19 pm:
==Illinois isn’t a swing state.==
It was a swing state leaning Republcan… then Donald Trump came along and it went Dem. Great job, MAGA.
- Roosevelt Road ranger - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:26 pm:
Ives statement reads like some unrefined diary entry where she poses existential questions and then suddenly winning her argument. She poses a false dichotomy that makes me think she missed all the days in her education journey that explained basic logical fallacies. I don’t do it often but the one repub I tinkered on getting to know is quite exactly like this press release reads: full of legalism, not a speck of love in sight. Punishment for others and running to the law and cops is the only way some of these folks calm their own identity crisis. She’s allowed to be vocal around these parts and unfortunately there’s others who get excited when she whistles.
- Pundent - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:29 pm:
=Federal immigration law is quite different from state and local laws.=
Merely violating immigration law is a civil offense. So exactly how is it different? Or do you believe that all civil violations should carry the risk of detention?
- Roosevelt Rr - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:42 pm:
Harm one harm all … is that supposed to be based on Blackstone’s better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer? If so, solid mantra.
- A - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 2:49 pm:
Folks might want to read up on the barbaric (Haha) rules for immigration to other countries. No one lets people in and gives them benefits as we do
Read up on what it would take to gain citizenship in other countries. Most require a LOT of money to be paid and time invested for that privilege. Read up on what they do to people who come in, overstay their visas.
- Pundent - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 3:14 pm:
=Read up on what it would take to gain citizenship in other countries.=
We live with the laws that we have not those that exist in other countries. If you feel that we should be moving in that direction your beef is with Congress not the people commenting here. But it does make you wonder why we aren’t dealing with this at a policy level? Spoiler alert, there was bi-partisan agreement to do so in the last Congress. Not naming names but somebody put a stop to it.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 3:22 pm:
===Folks might want to read up on the barbaric (Haha) rules for immigration to other countries.
I agree and I think that is a big part of what makes the US special. We don’t provide benefits to immigrants on the scale most think we do. Especially those without legal status have to pay taxes and generally get few services from the government. We do a few things like drivers licenses for safety and in state tuition for essentially people brought here as minors. Most of the assistance is in areas for refugees which have greatly benefited our communities. But again, refugees under US law have legal status.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 3:51 pm:
===Spoiler alert, there was bi-partisan agreement to do so in the last Congres
We are also very different from Western Europe in that we built our economy on easy access to immigrant labor. Most of Western Europe is facing issues of refugees and we do take in plenty of refugees, but we have always had industry that relies on immigrant labor. By not creating pathways for workers all we have done is create a workforce without legal authorization or pathway to citizenship/residency.
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 4:19 pm:
=Folks might want to read up on the barbaric (Haha) rules for immigration to other countries.=
I am in the process of gaining citizenship in a european country. My wife is a dual citizen and has been since infancy. It really isn’t very hard or expensive compared to when her parents did it here.
=No one lets people in and gives them benefits as we do=
EU citizenship grants you access to the public healthcare system in other EU countries under the same conditions as local residents.
So there is that.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Sep 8, 25 @ 10:13 pm:
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
But it seems that Jeanne would disagree.
– MrJM