Rock Island Today

Judge Joe McGraw, a candidate for the 17th Congressional District, declared his candidacy with a focus on restoring law and order, citing concerns over the surge of noncitizen arrivals and soft-on-crime measures. The escalating taxpayer costs associated with the surge of undocumented immigrants in Illinois have caused great concern among fiscal conservatives.

“America is a nation of laws,” McGraw said on Facebook. “As a prosecutor, private attorney, & judge, I’ve dedicated my life to upholding those laws.”

“Now, as liberal politicians open our border and peddle soft-on-crime measures, I’m running for Congress to restore law & order.”

In 2023, steps were taken to terminate the state’s sanctuary status for migrants.

“One of the biggest problems we are facing right now, both from a budgetary and a humanity perspective, is the ongoing crisis at our southern border and the influx of undocumented immigrants into Illinois,” State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) said, according to Illinois Radio Network. “Yesterday, we filed House Bill 4187 to repeal the Illinois Trust Act and end our status as a sanctuary state.”

Hammond emphasized the need to address the rising costs of caring for the influx of arrivals, estimating that the migrant crisis could cost Chicago taxpayers a staggering $361 million in 2023.

With nearly 30,000 migrants arriving in Illinois since August 2022, the state is struggling to manage this situation. Taxpayer funds allocated towards this issue have approached $700 million over the past year. State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), who recently visited the southern U.S. border according to Washington Examiner reports, called on President Biden's administration to act decisively.

In relation to perceived leniency towards crime policies, Illinois became the first state in America to abolish cash bail as a condition of pre-trial release when it enacted the no cash bail provision of the SAFE-T Act. This move has raised concerns among prosecutors, including McHenry County’s State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally. According to State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland), these changes have led to worries about public safety.

Meanwhile, the criminal justice system is adapting to these changes, with judges now required to make swift decisions about pre-trial detention. The system faces a variety of resource challenges as it adjusts to this significant shift, which impacts counties with diverse resources and capabilities.

McGraw, a former prosecutor, private attorney, and retired Circuit Court judge, announced his candidacy for the 17th Congressional District in mid-October. He intends to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), who narrowly won the 17th District in 2022. McGraw's campaign emphasizes law-and-order principles and uses his judicial background to address urban crime and immigration issues, according to Pantagraph.

The 17th Congressional District encompasses several counties including Carroll, Fulton, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside and Winnebago. It is currently represented by Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) Sorensen took office last year and is seeking re-election to the U.S. House. As of now, he is the only Democrat candidate for the 17th District for the March 19 primary according to Ballotpedia.