NW Illinois News

State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) held a press conference at the Stephenson County Courthouse on Tuesday, joined by State Representatives Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), to call for the repeal of Illinois’ TRUST Act and SAFE-T Act. The event followed a double fatality car crash on August 9 involving a repeat DUI offender who was also identified as an undocumented immigrant.

The incident occurred on Illinois Route 26 near Oneco Road. According to preliminary reports from the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office, Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, of Guatemala, crossed into the northbound lane and collided head-on with Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, of Freeport. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities suspect alcohol was involved in the crash; toxicology results for Ico-Choc are pending. There is no indication that Connolly-Brunner was impaired while driving.

Chesney criticized both state laws during his remarks. He said, “A woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community was killed in broad daylight by a man who never should have been in this country or on the road. His criminal record includes prior charges of DUI, aggravated (felony) DUI, and battery. Additionally, it was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that he was in this country illegally, having crossed the border a few years ago during the Biden administration. Yet, thanks to Illinois’ TRUST Act and the SAFE-T Act, he remained in this country and was free to get back behind the wheel of a car and kill an innocent woman. It’s unacceptable, and I am sickened by it.”

The TRUST Act restricts local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities. The SAFE-T Act eliminates cash bail for most offenses.

Chesney added: “Over the last few years, this man was shielded by systems that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants and are more focused on allowing criminals to walk free than on protecting Illinois citizens. The TRUST Act allowed this criminal to remain under the radar screen and escape deportation. Meanwhile, the SAFE-T Act continues to handcuff police, coddle criminals, and put every law-abiding family in Illinois at risk. How many more lives have to be lost before statehouse Democrats admit they’ve gone too far?”

He concluded: “I am not going to sit by silently while dangerous repeat offenders who are in this country illegally are given free rein to destroy lives,” he said. “I will not stop fighting until this state puts the rights of its citizens above the rights of criminals.”

Chesney is a Republican who began serving as senator for Illinois' 45th Senate District after being elected in 2023; he succeeded Brian Stewart.