Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, has criticized Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul for prioritizing political lawsuits related to programs benefiting undocumented immigrants over addressing the needs of Illinois residents. Rule made his statement to the Peoria Standard.

"Kwame Raoul seems more interested in advancing ideological causes than solving Illinois's pressing problems," said Rule. "He directs state resources toward defending benefits for non-citizens while crime and economic challenges go unaddressed. His legal priorities reflect a disregard for the real issues facing working families. Illinois residents need a leader who puts their safety and prosperity first."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Attorney General Raoul and 20 other attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges new rules designed to ensure that federal programs serve only individuals with legal immigration status. These revised policies aim to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing programs such as Head Start, family planning, and adult education. The changes align services with longstanding federal laws that restrict most public benefits for those in the country illegally. The administration argues that these reforms uphold congressional intent and protect taxpayer-funded services for legal residents and citizens.

In a press release dated July 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would rescind a 1998 policy that extended certain federal benefits to undocumented immigrants. This move restores compliance with the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The revised policy clarifies that programs like Head Start are federal public benefits and must adhere to eligibility rules for American citizens. HHS estimates this could redirect $374 million annually to U.S. citizens. The change supports Executive Order 14218, which aims to end taxpayer subsidization of illegal immigration and reinforce lawful administration of public resources.

Rule, who resides in Morton, 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."