Save IL Coalition Launches with Bold Agenda to End Sanctuary Status in Illinois (Elk Grove Village, IL) — A newly formed bipartisan group, the Save IL Coalition, is preparing to make its public debut with a high-profile event aimed at rallying support for ending Illinois’ sanctuary status. The group is calling on voters to sign a petition that could put the issue on the 2026 election ballot, allowing Illinoisans to weigh in on one of the state’s most contentious policy debates.
The launch event will take place on April 30 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village from 6 PM to 9 PM. For $20, attendees will receive access to a pizza buffet, a cash bar, and a lineup of outspoken speakers calling attention to what they say are the harmful consequences of illegal immigration in Chicago and across Illinois.
Headlining the evening are investigative journalists Ben Bergquam, Ann Vandersteel, and Terry Newsome, who have reported extensively on illegal immigration and the activities of transnational criminal groups like Tren de Aragua and Mexican cartels. They will present firsthand images and videos captured at key migration corridors — from the treacherous Darien Gap to Chicago shelters — depicting violent crimes including sex trafficking, child exploitation, and gang violence.
The event will also feature voices from Chicago’s minority communities, who say their neighborhoods are suffering under the weight of sanctuary policies. Danielle Carter, Vice President of Flip Chicago Red and an African American community activist, will speak about her April 9 testimony before Congress. Carter has accused Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over long-neglected Black neighborhoods.
Joining her will be Cata Truss, a former Democrat and founder of “The Community Roundtable.” Truss, now an outspoken critic of sanctuary policies, argues that the influx of migrants has deepened racial and economic inequalities in Chicago.
Pastors Daniel Matos and Jose Acevedo, representing the “Coalition of Latino Ministers for Civic Matters,” will bring a Hispanic perspective to the discussion. Both ministers have raised alarms over the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang in Latino communities, warning that their criminal activity is tarnishing the image of lawful immigrants and jeopardizing public safety.
The evening will conclude with a town hall-style roundtable, where attendees can pose questions to the speakers and share their concerns.
According to the Save IL Coalition, sanctuary policies are placing unsustainable pressure on public services, straining healthcare systems, and contributing to looming budget shortfalls that may result in higher taxes. The group argues that shielding undocumented individuals from federal law enforcement not only endangers communities but also undermines the rule of law.
Their proposed solution: a non-binding advisory referendum in 2026 that would give Illinois voters a direct voice in deciding whether the state should maintain its sanctuary status.
Tickets for the April 30 event can be purchased at https://saveilcoalition.com/.
Save IL Coalition Launches with Bold Agenda to End Sanctuary Status in Illinois
