State Sovereignty, National Union

How Illinois Can Meet the Moment

Each week a new line is crossed by a federal government we barely recognize and no longer trust. Illinois must draw strength from within -- we are not helpless.

It is time to explore the extent of Illinois' rights under the 10th Amendment, state capabilities (and partnerships) within fiscal constraints, and priorities (like education and healthcare) we must continue to support without federal funding. In short, Illinois must blunt illegal federal action, serve residents, and chart a course towards a fairer, greener, healthier state, without federal intimidation or interference.

Legislate to Protect Illinois & Take Back Our Future

Unmask ICE & identify federal enforcement: I support state legislation to unmask federal agents and require them to identify themselves and face accountability. Even if legislation is struck down in court, it’s still worth the fight to force federal courts to clarify exactly the rights of specious federal enforcement when in conflict with state and local laws.
No “Title 32 National Guard occupation”: I’m calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation restricting the ability of state National Guard units deployed under Title 32 from entering Illinois without express permission from our Governor (similar laws exist in Rhode Island, Washington, and Idaho).
Keep Illinoisans safe through cooperation and shared resources: We need to move on from a Washington system that has so clearly broken down. With the gutting of vital federal programs (EPA, CDC, FEMA, and even the National Weather service, for goodness sake), it is imperative that states take up the mantle of responsible governance. Let’s join together with Massachusetts or Minnesota or New York (or Canada, why not?), and build the collective tools we need to keep our people safe and healthy. Together we can fund medical research, track climate and pollution, back mental health and safety-net providers, and more.
Recruit federal talent in science, health, education: As Washington turns its back on dedicated, effective public servants, Illinois can step up. Let's offer relocation bonuses and state roles to high-performing federal workers, or even professional refugees from red states, such as teachers, nurses, or journalists.
10th Amendment Task Force: We are facing a level of federal overreach we haven’t seen in modern American history. I call on the General Assembly to put together a task force to look at legislation Illinois can pass to restrict federal movement, surveillance, authority, or operations in Illinois. We need to understand what’s possible, what’s legal, and what will actually work. That means knowing how far 10th Amendment protections go — and how to use them to keep Illinoisans safe and sheltered in these uncertain years.
Disaster Relief & Illinois State Defense Force: Many states have State Defense Forces that are often volunteer or volunteer-led who support state residents during disasters and supplement federal help. Now that we can no longer be sure the federal government will show up, Illinois should revive our SDF (the inactive Illinois Naval Militia) and build up our own disaster relief capabilities to weather the coming storms. I, for one, will volunteer tomorrow.

Organize to Protect our Communities & Protest Corrupt Government

Know Your Rights resources & trainings -- Even as agents of the Trump Administration trample on civil liberties, detain American citizens, violate due process, and wreck lives and families, there is (still) some measure of protection embedded into our system of rights and laws. Know that a vast majority of Trump Executive Orders and illegal actions have been blocked and overturned by the courts. This is cold comfort to those impacted and often underreported. That said, a well-informed community is a more resilient and safer one. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights continues to be a terrific platform for resources, questions, support, and activism.
Overpass Protests -- Throughout the fall, I worked with community leaders to organize and support overpass protests. Please reach out if you'd like to join or help organize.
Rallies & protests -- join organizers in Evanston or or Wilmette or Chicago as we gather to send the message loud and clear that this country has no King -- and never will. I was honored to speak at the Evanston protest in June and Wilmette rally in October. If interested, you can see my remarks here.