Kane County Reporter

On Dec. 31, a bus dropped off 30 illegal immigrants in Elgin, according to Emergency Management and Regional Security.

The day saw a significant surge in the broader context of the continuous arrivals.

A larger contingent of 780 individuals were dispersed in various locations across Illinois, including Dupage and Lake Counties and Rockford.

The scale of the drop-offs on Dec. 31 has sparked concerns and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities and communities.

The Dec. 31 influx initiated at 3:45 a.m. in Rockford when a private Boeing 777 carrying approximately 350 illegal immigrants landed at Chicago Rockford International Airport, marking the second instance of Texas sending a private aircraft with undocumented individuals to Illinois.

In response to Chicago's limitations on bus drop-offs for homeless illegal aliens, surrounding communities have enacted their own laws, preventing buses from unloading passengers within their jurisdictions.

Despite these efforts, buses originating in Texas continue to leave illegal immigrants in areas up to 50 miles south of Chicago.

Cities such as Rosemont, Cicero, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Matteson, Chicago Ridge, Elburn and South Barrington have already implemented rules restricting or prohibiting bus drop-offs, with additional locales, including Clarendon Hills, Posen, Crystal Lake, Oak Lawn and Broadview, considering similar measures.

Concerns are also rising among counties, with Grundy County erecting signs on interstates advising bus drivers not to attempt stops there.

Grundy County Sheriff Ken Briley attributes the situation to Johnson, emphasizing the growing disconnect between the state's leadership and the desires of its communities regarding immigration policy.

Meanwhile, Chicago's mayor, grappling with the financial burden of supporting welcomed illegal immigrants, plans to redirect $95 million earmarked for COVID-19 response to fund housing for undocumented individuals.