I asked McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi how he answers questions about illegal immigration and his exchange trip to Mexico and the Mexican officials visit to McHenry County.

Here’s is the guts of the letter, which I imagine is individualized, depending on the thrust of letter Bianchi receives:

Thank you for your recent letter addressing the matter of illegal immigration. I share your concerns over this issue. Our legal system here in McHenry County deals with the problems it presents on a daily basis.

Police and county prosecutors have an obligation to uphold the law. Illegal immigrants do not get a free pass. We send them back to Mexico. If they commit a crime they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and then turned over to ICE for deportation.

The second issue which you address is the trips taken by elected and appointed officials to Mexico. For several years the Sheriff’s Department has had an exchange program with the state of Zecatecas. The trips to Mexico are paid for by Zecatecan businessmen. When the Zecatecas police visit McHenry County, they do so at no cost to the taxpayer. They stay in the homes of county deputies and other county elected and appointed official’s homes.

The purpose of the exchange is to build bridges of understanding and to educate law enforcement in Mexico. The city of Woodstock is a sister city to the city of Zecatecas.

Shortly after I was elected, Jean and I were invited to Zecatecas. The trip was paid for by Zecatecan businessmen. It was an educational trip. The Department of Industry met with us to explain what the state is doing to encourage industry and create jobs in Zecatecas to keep their citizens in Mexico. We visited their legislature and their courts. We met with elected and appointed officials including the governor of the state of Zecatecas. Using our legal system as a model, the government is attempting to bring about much needed changes in their state trial courts. While we just made one trip there, we did accept two visits from lawyers and judges who came up to McHenry County to see our democratic process in operation. These judges and lawyers had their lodging and food paid for personally by Jean and I. This was at no expense to the taxpayers.

When we visited Mexico, we learned about a shoot out where 11 policemen were killed or wounded because they had outdated equipment and no bullet proof vests. Upon our return we contacted all of the police departments within McHenry County to ask them to donate their outdated equipment and bullet proof vests for the Zecatecan/Guadalupe Police Departments. We have been receiving this equipment and channeling it through the city if Woodstock, their sister city. As an example, please find attached copy of the recent equipment donated by the Spring Grove Police Department.

This program does not support illegal immigration nor is it paid for by the taxpayers. If I can answer or address any other question or concern, please feel free to contact me by letter or call me at the office at 815.334.4159.

Very Truly Yours,

Louis A. Bianchi
State’s Attorney