McCloy on DuPage County GOP walk out during anti-ICE resolution vote: 'This is exactly why Democrats feel emboldened'
Kristina McCloy, founder of Concerned Parents of Illinois, said the decision by several DuPage County Republicans to walk out of a vote on the Due Process and Fair Path to Citizenship resolution—which condemns Immigration and Customs Enforcement and called for protections for illegal aliens— “an avoidance of accountability.”
"A few so-called ‘Republicans’ ducked out of the vote on the Due Process and Fair Path to Citizenship resolution–running for cover from the Democrats instead of standing up for taxpayers and voting a loud ‘no,’” McCloy, a former Downers Grove Township trustee, said in a statement to the DuPage Policy Journal. “This is exactly why Democrats feel emboldened in DuPage County. This cowardice is why Democrats now run DuPage like Cook County.”
When the vote was called, Republican members Kari Galassi of Hinsdale, Cindy Cronin Cahill of Elmhurst and Jim Zay either walked out or abstained.
Brian Krajewski also left shortly after, citing a prior appointment.
Grant Eckhoff cast the lone dissenting vote, while Republican Sam Tornatore broke party ranks to vote in favor, joining the Democratic majority in passing the resolution 12-1.
The resolution affirms that DuPage County “does not assist with or participate in federal immigration enforcement activities and is not notified in advance of ICE actions taking place throughout the County or on the County campus.”
It also urges Congress to pursue bipartisan immigration reform and also stated that ICE operations would not be permitted on county property.
“DuPage upholds its right to declare specific County property private or for employee use only,” the resolution reads.
The resolution, which stops short of establishing “ICE-free zones,” comes two months after Operation Midway Blitz was launched.
The DuPage GOP members who walked out said the resolution was “political theater” and outside the county’s jurisdiction.
“Kari Galassi, who represents me on the County Board, gets up on the soapbox—but when it’s time to vote, she refuses to go on record and be accountable,” McCloy said. “This is exactly why the GOP keeps losing in DuPage County. Voters don’t trust RINO politicians who refuse to defend Republican values—and frankly, do the opposite. Over numerous resolutions through the years, Kari has proudly and repeatedly voted—and even seconded motions—to funnel millions of DuPage taxpayer dollars to illegal aliens occupying our county. Constituents deserve better."
Galassi in particular has drawn attention not only for being part of the walk out, but also for campaign finance connections.
According to the Q3 Campaign disclosure report, Galassi’s second-largest donors are the LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council PAC and the Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC, both of which donated $2,500.
The two unions have historically contributed heavily to Democratic candidates, including imprisoned former House Speaker Michael Madigan and current House Speaker Chris Welch.
Welch is also drawing criticism for advancing bills during the recent veto session that, according to Illinois Policy, would increase debt, raise taxes, and favor union pressure and special interests over fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Galassi officially kicked off her re-election campaign for DuPage County Board District 3 on Sept. 25 alongside fellow walkout Cahill.
ICE says they have arrested 3,000 illegal aliens across the region since Operation Midway Blitz started two months ago. According to the Department of Homeland Security, those detained were in the country illegally and had a range of prior criminal histories, including charges related to drug offenses, assault, theft and other violent crimes.