Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, emphasized the urgent need for stronger border security and immigration enforcement following the murder of 63-year-old George Levin on January 26. Rule made this statement to the Peoria Standard on February 3.

"The tragic killing of George Levin exposes the deadly consequences of weak immigration policies," said Rule. "The tragic killing of George Levin exposes the deadly consequences of weak immigration policies. Every day incompetent Democrats in Springfield and Washington delay action, more innocent lives are put at risk. We must secure our border now, or prepare for more tragedies."

According to Fox News, two undocumented migrants are in custody for Levin's murder. He was found bound with duct tape in his Norwood Park home. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to multiple assault-related injuries. Police sources indicated that the suspects, from Venezuela and Ecuador, entered the U.S. illegally via Texas in the summer of 2023. One suspect had been arrested earlier in Chicago on January 12 for attempting to lure children but was released the following day.

CNN reported that a nationwide immigration crackdown conducted by the Trump administration on January 26 resulted in 956 arrests and 554 detainers, marking it as the largest one-day total reported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation involved ICE, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and U.S. Marshals targeting public safety and national security threats. White House border czar Tom Homan described the effort as a "game changer." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said that local police were uninvolved. CNN further noted that ICE field offices face quotas as enforcement intensifies to meet deportation goals, with operations occurring in Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Los Angeles, and Austin.

The Center for Immigration Studies highlighted challenges faced by President Trump's planned deportation efforts from sanctuary jurisdictions—state or local governments that hinder ICE operations. These jurisdictions refuse ICE detainers, impose restrictions, deny ICE access to detainees, or limit communication with federal immigration officers. The Center reported that nearly 8 million illegal immigrants live in sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide, accounting for about 56% of the total illegal immigrant population in the U.S., with approximately 530,000 residing in Illinois.

Rule has been serving as chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans since his election in 2018. According to their website, he is focused on increasing Republican voter turnout, expanding party membership, and communicating party positions on issues relevant to Tazewell County voters.