It’s just a bill
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Sen. Laura Fine’s 9th District congressional campaign…
Democratic State Senator Laura Fine, the only candidate in Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District Democratic Primary with ads on broadcast TV, is calling out right-wing Republicans for mobilizing against her legislation that would bar the roughly 12,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers hired by Donald Trump since his inauguration from working in state or local law enforcement.
“Republicans in Illinois and across the country take their marching orders from Donald Trump and Stephen Miller, and they are throwing the kitchen sink at my bill holding them accountable for inciting fear and violence in our community,” Senator Fine said. “I’ve never backed down from a fight—not when the insurance companies tried to bankrupt my family—and not when Donald Trump’s MAGA loyalists are making our communities less safe. In Congress, I’ll work to abolish ICE. Here at home, I’m working to make sure these officers, who are being hired without necessary training, cannot work for our law enforcement agencies as trusted community partners.”
Over the holiday weekend, Awake Illinois announced it was launching a “mobility campaign” against Senator Fine and her new legislation (SB 2820). More than 350 people have already contacted Senator Fine’s official office.
Highlights of Awake Illinois’s efforts:
- Shannon Adcock, Founder and President of Awake Illinois, said the group “will not back down until this harmful bill is defeated,” referred to ICE agents as “battle-tested federal pros.”
- Far-right news network Newsmax highlighted Senator Fine’s SB 2820, featuring State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) calling the legislation “stupid.”
- Retired Riverside, Ill. Police Chief Tom Weitzel in a Tik Tok video likened the bill to “targeting African-Americans, Hispanic, Native Americans.”
- Illinois House Republican leadership has attacked the bill as a “radical sanctuary expansion,” claiming it unfairly targets officers hired during the Trump administration despite reports that show ICE agents were often hired without standard background checks.
- During a segment on AM 560 The Answer, radio hosts and guest commentators characterized Senator Fine’s legislation as a “Leninist-style purge” of law enforcement and a “political litmus test.”
Senator Fine previously championed legislation that banned civil ICE arrests in and around courthouses, expanded “sensitive location” protections to schools, hospitals and daycares, created a state cause of action to allow people to sue after violations of their constitutional rights and restricted state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. She has emerged as one of Illinois’ most effective lawmakers, with more than 190 bills passed into law. Her record includes landmark consumer protection measures that have lowered costs and helped make Illinois one of the most consumer-friendly states in the country.
* The Coalition for Small Business Lending Transparency…
Advocates, Small Business Owners to Urge Passage of “APR for All” Legislation Loophole exposes Illinois small businesses to APRs over 300%
WHO:
- State Rep. Kam Buckner, (D-Chicago)
- Horacio Méndez, President & CEO, Woodstock Institute
- Brad McConnell, CEO, Allies for Community Business
- Geri Aglipay, Senior Fellow, Small Business Majority
- Jay Goltz, Illinois Small Business Owner
WHAT:
A press conference featuring small business owners, nonprofits and advocates urging Illinois lawmakers to pass the Small Business Financing Transparency Act (HB744 HA #1), also known as “APR for All.”
The legislation would require non-bank lenders to disclose the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of loans offered to small businesses, giving entrepreneurs the same transparency consumers have relied on for decades. Speakers will highlight how confusing loan pricing schemes obscure the true cost of credit, drain wealth from Illinois communities and disproportionately harm Black and Hispanic-owned businesses.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 10-10:30 am
WHERE: Illinois State Capitol Blue Room
* WAND…
Two local Republican lawmakers have introduced reforms for the Pretrial Fairness Act with backing from the Sangamon County Sheriff and State’s Attorney. […]
[Rep. Mike Coffey’s] plan would allow courts to deny pretrial release if someone is charged with any felony and prosecutors allege they pose a threat to public safety or are likely to miss court. Pretrial release could also be denied if the defendant has been convicted of two or more of the same felonies or misdemeanors.
Coffey and Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) wanted advice from experts while crafting the proposal, so they worked with Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch and State’s Attorney John Milhiser.
“It’s not throwing everything out or bringing back cash bail,” Milhiser said. “We don’t need to do it. We just need to make sure and ensure that those individuals in our communities causing crime and making it more dangerous are detained.”
* Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet…
State Representative Kimberly DuBuclet (D-Chicago) has introduced new legislation to expand voter registration opportunities for high school students across Illinois, honoring the legacy of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, Sr. and his lifelong fight to make democracy accessible to all.
For decades, Rev. Jackson stood at the forefront of the struggle to protect and expand voting rights—organizing, marching, and challenging systems that excluded young people, Black communities, and working families from full participation in civic life. Naming this legislation in his honor is both a tribute and a statement of purpose: democracy only works when every generation is invited in. […]
Rep. DuBuclet filed House Bill 4339, the Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, which would require Illinois high schools to provide students with the opportunity to register to vote in a nonpartisan setting. Participation would remain voluntary, and the bill explicitly prohibits partisan organizations from engaging in voter registration activities in schools—ensuring the process is educational, neutral, and student-centered.
* HB4483 from Rep. Mike Coffey…
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a person causes a fatality while operating a motor vehicle and it is determined that the fatality was caused entirely by the medical condition of the person, the Secretary of State shall suspend the person’s driver’s license until the person provides medical documentation that the medical condition is being treated. Effective immediately.
* The Tribune…
Two recent deaths at Chicago-area nursing homes highlight a growing problem not just of poor care, nursing home advocates say, but of difficulty in holding those responsible accountable. […]
The cases highlight common problems, advocates say, involving nursing homes that are run by a confusing web of shell corporations that avoid financial liability and increasingly are under- or uninsured, leaving them unable to compensate victims. […]
Lawyers who advocate for nursing home residents have talked to lawmakers about the problems, saying that state law should be changed to require better insurance for nursing homes and to require greater transparency in their ownership.
“It’s time to amend the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act,” attorney Margaret Battersby Black said. “No incentive to improve care or meet staffing requirements.”
The state did pass a nursing home reform law in 2022, which tied increased funding to increased staffing, and aimed at greater disclosure of nursing home ownership, but advocates say more needs to be done.
- DarkestBeforeDawn - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 9:18 am:
not a Fine fan but props to her for reiterating the call to abolish ICE when so many dems are walking back that line with their tails between their legs.
- Steve - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 9:23 am:
Fine is going to have to do better than this. How to stand out from the ICE candidates isn’t easy. Biss and Kat are equally as anti- ICE.
- Angelica Friar - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 9:46 am:
kat isn’t nearly as anti ice as Biss. After she got her 15 minutes of fame for being beat by ICE and indicted she stopped showing to to Broadview.
She also never participated in neighborhood patrols or heloed escort people in the 9th district to and from school ike Biss and Simmons have done.
She also hasn’t done ICE patrols like Huyn has.
I think it’s fair to critique Fine for not putting her body on the lady because other sitting state legislators in the race have done that in addition to legislation.
But Fine’s legislation is more significant to me than Kat occasionally showing up at Broadview.
- Not Rich - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:06 am:
Add Sen Fine to the growing list of Illinois legislators that have total disregard for the U S Constitution.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:12 am:
==Add Sen Fine to the growing list of Illinois legislators that have total disregard for the U S Constitution.==
Wow. What a take considering Trump and his Justice Department and DHS have taken disregard for the U.S. Constitution to unimaginable heights.
- ;) - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:26 am:
I am not a Republican, and I am a donor to Rep Fine’s campaign for Congress. I want a refund. She’s lost her way in her attempt to pander.
- Steve - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:28 am:
-kat isn’t nearly as anti ice as Biss. -
Thrown to the ground and indicted: can’t really show more than that.
- Illiana - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:30 am:
Didn’t Senator Fine support legislation that allowed some non-citizens to become police officers because of the state’s officer “shortage.” While I actually liked that legislation, pairing it with this new bill screams pandering and hypocrisy to me.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:32 am:
All fine and good, Senator Fine.
But if Illinois cannot and/or will not enforce its ban on local law enforcement assisting ICE, how are we to expect you to enforce a ban on hiring former ICE agents?
Can you even get a list of ICE agents hired by Trump and their SS# to screen applicants?
Or are we expectimg them to volunteer the information on their resume?
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:33 am:
Laura Fine’s ubiquitous scowlly fighty braggy ads are off-putting. Her 9th congressional district competitors will be wise to hold off on their own broadcast TV ads while she spends her money and gives them attack fodder. Contrast Fine’s ads with Donna Miller’s run in another CD. Miller’s message comes across as warm, positive yet firm, and her delivery and production values are impressive.
- Angelica Friar - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:47 am:
Iliana can you explain why allowing noncitizens to work in law enforcement after passing the same background checks citizens do has anything to do barring people who were indoctrinated by a rogue agency that violates the law from working in Illinois?
There are also non citizens working for ICE who would be impacted by this law.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:02 am:
HB 4339-I’m a fan.
The sooner youth get involved in politics, the better we are as a nation.
- Loyal Virus - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:03 am:
Don the Legend is correct- it’s the current administration that has shown complete disregard for the constitution. One might call it contempt. For them Law & Order is really just the latter and taken to the extremes.
- zer0 - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:03 am:
==referred to ICE agents as “battle-tested federal pros.” ==
This whole thing with cops being battle tested or warriors or the thin blue line needs to stop. The police should not be in battles with the public. They should not be warriors, nor should they be considered anything other than citizens who serve other citizens.
This ethos is what has militarized law enforcement and ruined the credibility of LEOs, regardless of how good and dedicated they actual are to public service.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:07 am:
“battle-tested federal pros”.
First,consider the source of the quote.
Second,go watch some videos of those “pros”.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:22 am:
=props to her for reiterating the call to abolish ICE when so many dems are walking back that line with their tails between their legs.=
Why call for something that will never happen? ICE has been weaponized by the current administration but will continue on long after the President is out of office. We should be able to separate the two issues. Because if we can’t we’ll end up calling for lots of things to be abolished that are currently being corrupted for short term political purposes.
And as far as Fine’s proposed legislation, let me know when she has 60-30. Until then it’s simply noise.
- Walker - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:26 am:
@zero +++
My local pro9fessional cops and police chiefs are appalled at how some ICE agents are behaving. They are not following even their own Federal guidelines for public safety. This situation is unprecedented and apparently unaccountable.
If AWAKE Illinois knew anything about what has actually been going on, they wouldn’t have made such a stupid statement.
- Illiana - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:29 am:
Angelica - I agreed with the legislation to allow some non-citizens to become officers. However, during debate, supporters of the legislation repeatedly stated it was necessary because the state had an “officer shortage” and needed more people to be qualified to become one. Meanwhile, you can rightfully disagree with the tactics of ICE, but this bill would blanket eliminate hundreds to thousands of potentially qualified individuals. That is why I think it is hypocritical.
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:34 am:
== Add Sen Fine to the growing list of Illinois legislators that have total disregard for the U S Constitution.==
Lol. Reading comprehension isnt your strong suit I see.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 11:47 am:
Fine’s proposed bill is patently unconstitutional- does the legislature have a department which evaluates the constitutionality of proposed legislation before it can reach the floor- guess she is not a legal scholar but Americans have the absolute right of the freedom of association- her bill is something Joe McCarthy was famous for
- Duck Duck Goose - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:12 pm:
=Fine’s proposed bill is patently unconstitutional=
I haven’t found the amendment that guarantees the right to be hired as a cop. I can imagine some fringe argument about the bill’s unconstitutionality, but it is certainly not “patently” so.
The more obviously unconstitutional bill is Coffey’s pretrial bill, which, from its description here, would allow somebody to be incarcerated because the prosecutor thinks they’re a bad guy. I can find that amendment (it’s the 5th).
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:20 pm:
I think it is a very odd thing for a congressional campaign to attempt to raise the profiles of the critics of their legislation in an effort to make themselves seem like a more effective candidate.
I am not sure how naming organizations and people and then having to explain who those people are is really a great thing for a campaign to be spending effort on doing, especially when the point is those people dislike your candidate.
What a weird thing to astroturf.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:25 pm:
Candy, she’s trying to move to the left in a Dem primary. This is designed to show she’s taking one for the team. Enemy of my enemy, etc.
- Sue - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:26 pm:
Here’s what bugs me about Fine’s bill:
We’re simultaneously getting the message from the anti-ICE side that ICE agents are unprofessional, the bottom of the barrel. Yet, with actions like this, they are doing everything they can to deter professional-minded candidates from applying to ICE.
And unrelatedly, having a “nonpartisan” group come into schools to register voters sounds fine, on paper, but there are so many organizations which are nominally “nonpartisan” because they are not explicitly affiliated with a political party, but in practice they clearly take sides. How do you ensure that the organization tasked with this is not just nonpartisan but doesn’t take sides more generally speaking?
- Keeping IT Real - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
I agree with Prudent and came to say something similar. We should shy away from saying “abolish ICE”. It will play out negatively, the same as “Defund the Police”. Abolish means to “put an end to”. ICE is short for “Immigration and Customs Enforcement”. We can’t just get rid of immigration and customs enforcment altogether. Rename and rebrand, sure. But to say abolish sounds extreme to me. We need police like we need immigration and customs enforcement. The alternative is anarchy, and nobody wins there. Just my 2 cents.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
===It will play out negatively, the same as “Defund the Police”===
Not that I agree with the slogan, but “Defund the Police” was a big deal in 2020 and the Democrats went on to have a pretty darned successful election year, despite getting tagged with it by the other side.
- TNR - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
Good politics being practiced here by Fine, particularly because her opponents are gearing up to attack her as a “conservative” due to her AIPAC ties. This might inoculate her a bit.
However, outside of super progressive ground like the 9th CD, Dems should tread much more lightly on the “abolish ice” rhetoric. The same polling that shows voters’ disapproval of Trump‘s ICE raids also shows they trust Republicans on immigration policy and border enforcement by a higher margin than they trust Democrats. Americans are appalled by the Trump spectacle, but they also want immigration laws enforced. “Abolish ICE” could backfire on Dems in the districts they need most to win control of Congress.
- Jerry - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
The only people who talked about “defunding the police” were Republicans. Period. End. Of. Story.
Just like the Republican marketing slogan “Pro-Life!” Or how about this one “Job Creators”.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
- Democrats went on to have a pretty darned successful election year, despite getting tagged with it by the other side. -
I’ve tried to explain this to my father a million times and it never sticks. It’s about motivating the base even if the moderates get a little squeamish.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 12:59 pm:
===It’s about motivating the base even if the moderates get a little squeamish. ===
Yep.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:00 pm:
===by a higher margin than they trust===
OK, now look at the generic ballot in those polls.
- charles in charge - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:20 pm:
== with actions like this, they are doing everything they can to deter professional-minded candidates from applying to ICE==
==Rename and rebrand, sure. But to say abolish sounds extreme to me.==
Have you observed ICE’s pervasive violent behavior in our communities? Have you heard the public statements of its leaders? What makes you think this rotten to the core agency could ever be reformed by a few “professional-minded candidates”?
I realize this is a political blog, but it drives me a little crazy to see people wringing their hands about what “sounds extreme” in this moment and urging us to “rename and rebrand” an incorrigible agency that’s demonstrated its unwavering dedication to causing mayhem in our communities.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:29 pm:
Political ad count from an hour at the gym today: Krishnamourthi 1; Stratton 2; Fine 1
The sound is always off so I have no idea what’s being said in the ads. Visually they all look professional.
- Rockford Rich - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
Surely the good Representatives and the honorable Sangamon County law enforcement leaders are aware that judges can already deny pretrial release to anyone they deem a threat to public safety…..
- Keeping IT Real - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:39 pm:
= I’ve tried to explain this to my father a million times and it never sticks.=
That’s what I’m trying to say. The wording doesn’t stick with middle/center voters. Just my 2 cents.
=The only people who talked about “defunding the police” were Republicans. Period. End. Of. Story.=
Google “youtube 7 Minutes of Democrats Saying Defund The Police”. There is literally a 7 minute video that 100% contradicts your ridiculous comment. I’ve never seen somebody so confident and be absolutely totally wrong.
=What makes you think this rotten to the core agency could ever be reformed=
I wasn’t saying that. I was referring to the wording “abolish”. Words matter, yes? There needs to be a new slogan if you want to attact more voters.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
===Words matter, yes?===
Then explain the 2020 results.
- SAW - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 2:00 pm:
=There needs to be a new slogan if you want to attact more voters.=
Having seen firsthand what ICE is doing, I’m a voter who is looking to hear candidates say they want to abolish ICE.
I agree with charles about the hand wringing. ICE has only existed for ~22 years, so to me it’s not extreme to imagine a country without ICE.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 2:01 pm:
- The wording doesn’t stick with middle/center voters. -
My dad doesn’t like the slogan, but he still voted D. That’s my point.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 2:06 pm:
=HB 4339-I’m a fan.=
Me too until I get stuck determining who is “non-partisan” and what if I cannot find anyone to do it? SO far the bill is short on any of that so I am a hard “no” which means it will pass and schools get stuck in the middle of another legislative fantasy.
- Miss Butterworth - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 2:22 pm:
” We can’t just get rid of immigration and customs enforcment altogether.”
Lower case immigration and customs enforcement as an activity. Sure, we need that. All countries do. But Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Agency? As currently constituted it is rotten to the core and we absolutely could and should abolish it.
- Frida’s Boss - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 2:58 pm:
Are there any non-partisan organizations anymore to work in high schools and who would pay for it? Just what schools need is another unfunded mandate. Or if a private organization pays who are their donors?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 3:01 pm:
===if you want to attact more voters. ===
I’m not sure it matters in the larger picture, as 2020 clearly showed.
In some ways, Democrats have to decide whether to try to move the Overton Window or settle for *maybe* gaining marginal voters and definitely depressing their base in the process.
For example, 77 percent of Democrats support (12 percent oppose) abolishing ICE. 47 percent of Independents support (35 percent oppose) abolishing ICE. https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_qsNv5iE.pdf#page=60
94 percent of Dems and 64 percent of independents disapprove of the way ICE does business https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3944
87 percent of Dems and 50 percent of Indies say ICE is making the country less safe https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_qsNv5iE.pdf
90 percent of Dems and 60 percent of Indies disapprove of Trump’s deportation program https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-trump-greenland-trump-poll/
94 percent of Dems and 68 percent of Indies say ICE is being too tough https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-trump-greenland-trump-poll/
Etc.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 3:10 pm:
“Are there any non-partisan organizations anymore to work in high schools and who would pay for it?”
Then by all means let’s forgo any attempt to get youth involved with this country’s political system.
No long-term effects from that.
As far as an “unfunded” mandate, how about taking a break from swooning from a bill that’s simply been introduced.
- Da big bad wolf - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 8:37 pm:
=== Google “youtube 7 Minutes of Democrats Saying Defund The Police”. There is literally a 7 minute video that 100% contradicts your ridiculous comment.===
I hope who ever made this video was able to find another job after this. What a load of garbage.
Only two Democrats said that, Omar said she wanted to dismantle the police force then build it back up agains. Sounds like a lot of work, but build it back up again means finding police again, not defunding them forever. The rest of the Democrats were in the midst of making greater points then the camera went away from them in the midst of their speech so we are only left with fragments of sentences and can’t tell what they wanted to do.
After five years, when this video was put out, police weren’t defunded anywhere. Representatives, nor political candidates don’t have the power to enact police budgets so I’m not sure why so many of them were included with this video, I guess the video maker begger couldn’t be a chooser.
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 9:53 pm:
Abolish ICE. There, I said it, and Im a centrist.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jan 21, 26 @ 10:52 pm:
=== In some ways, Democrats have to decide whether to try to move the Overton Window or settle for *maybe* gaining marginal voters and definitely depressing their base in the process. ===
Sorry I have been at the beach all day.
My three cents as a former Golden Horseshoe winner.
This is a very easy decision for Democrats.
1. It is a good policy.
2. It is a simple policy.
3. Your base overwhelmingly supports it.
You cannot win the House back if your base does not turn out. And with all of the hijinx, voter supression, gerrymandering, you probably need your base to turn out in record numbers.
In Swingier Districts, you don’t have to take out ads that say “Abolish ICE”. In fact, you never have to say “Abolish ICE.” You just have to say “ICE is broken and I do not think it can be fixed. Certainly Trump has no interest in making sure ICE is following the law, the Constitution, or even his own campaign promise to go after violent criminals. Instead Trump and ICE are murdering mothers, teargassing school children, and declaring war on American cities.”
The important thing, at the end of the day, is supporting the policy.