Illinois Freedom Caucus Condemns Hiring of Noncitizen Police Officer, Calls for Repeal of Sanctuary Laws (Springfield, IL) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is criticizing state lawmakers following the recent arrest of a noncitizen police officer in Hanover Park, calling it a “wake-up call” about the consequences of legislation allowing noncitizens to serve in law enforcement.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, was taken into custody during Operation Midway Blitz, a targeted enforcement action. ICE identified Bojovic as being in the country illegally while serving as a sworn officer with the Hanover Park Police Department.
Public records show that Bojovic was approved by the department’s Pension Fund Board of Trustees in January 2025 with a starting salary of nearly $79,000. His total earnings for the year reportedly exceeded $200,000, including benefits and taxes paid by Illinois taxpayers.
In a statement, the Illinois Freedom Caucus — a group of conservative Republican lawmakers — said the incident illustrates the dangers of what they describe as “far-left policies” in Springfield.
“Many Republicans went along with the legislation to allow noncitizens to be police officers because they were told it would apply only to individuals in the United States legally,” the caucus said. “Well, here we are — and surprise, surprise — there is an illegal immigrant hired to enforce the law on citizens of this country. To call this an outrage is an understatement.”
The group is calling for a repeal of the state’s law permitting noncitizens to serve as police officers as well as an end to Illinois’ sanctuary state status, arguing that current policies undermine public safety and accountability.
“How many more illegal immigrants are carrying firearms enforcing our laws on the citizens of our state? We may never find out,” the statement continued. “It is incumbent on our Republican colleagues to remember they cannot trust the empty promises of the radical far left controlling the process in Springfield.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus consists of several conservative members of the state legislature who frequently challenge Democratic leadership on issues of immigration, taxes, and law enforcement policy.
ICE officials have not released additional details about Bojovic’s immigration case, and the Hanover Park Police Department has not yet commented on the arrest
Illinois Freedom Caucus Condemns Hiring of Noncitizen Police Officer, Calls for Repeal of Sanctuary Laws
