Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, said that the March 5 hearing before the U.S. House Oversight Committee highlighted how Brandon Johnson and other Democratic mayors cannot justify dangerous sanctuary city policies. He made this statement to the Peoria Standard on March 10.

"Brandon Johnson and other Democratic mayors were unable to justify their dangerous sanctuary city policies during the March 5 hearing, despite the clear risks to American lives," said Rule. "Instead of answering for the rise in crime linked to illegal immigration, they dodged tough questions and offered empty rhetoric. House Republicans presented undeniable evidence of the damage caused by these policies, but Democrats ignored it. This refusal to change course shows a disturbing disregard for public safety and the rule of law."

According to Politico, Democratic mayors testified in Washington on March 5 regarding their immigration policies, addressing Republican concerns about crime in sanctuary cities. House Republicans cited violent incidents involving undocumented immigrants to argue for greater local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while mayors maintained that no law requires such coordination. Oversight Chair James Comer criticized sanctuary policies, calling them a "public safety nightmare." Democrats offered defensive arguments as immigration continues to be a major point of debate for both parties ahead of the upcoming elections.

In a press release to the House Oversight Committee website on February 5, Comer said: "Sanctuary mayors owe the American people an explanation for city policies that jeopardize public safety and violate federal immigration law by releasing dangerous criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets…. policies in Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City prioritize criminal illegal aliens over the American people. This is unacceptable and their leaders must be held accountable. We will press these mayors for answers and examine measures to enforce compliance with federal immigration law."

Fox 32 reported that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson testified before Congress on March 5 regarding the city’s sanctuary policies. The House Oversight Committee invited Johnson due to concerns that such policies allegedly violate federal law and harm residents. Chicago, along with New York, Boston, and Denver, has faced scrutiny for allegedly protecting undocumented immigrants. Johnson defended the city’s sanctuary policies in his testimony.

Rule was first elected as Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans in 2018. According to the organization’s website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Tazewell County voters."