Steve Balich, Homer Township supervisor and Republican leader of the Will County Board, is voicing concerns about rising cartel activity and its impact on local crime.
Homer Township’s strategic location at the crossroads of Interstate I-355 and U.S. Highway 6 is a hotspot for trafficking. Balich fears that as cartels infiltrate the area, they may impose control over local gangs, leading to violent conflicts and increased danger for residents.
“I was born in 1950, so I’ve seen a lot of stuff. When the cartels come in, which they are already here,” Balich told Federal Newswire. “In certain neighborhoods, you had people running drugs to make money. Now the cartel comes in and takes over, and they’re going to say, ‘Hey, you either work for us or you’re done.’”
Balich expressed his frustration over the broader immigration and drug policies adding to the likelihood of increased organized crime surrounding drugs and human trafficking. He suggested a second Trump administration may be able to handle these policy issues.
“I think that if Trump gets in, he's going to do what he says and he's going to have a massive deportation movement and he's going to go and all these people,” he said.
Balich condemns the “Sanctuary State” policies of Gov. J.B. Pritzker which has seen over 600,000 illegal aliens resettled in Illinois in recent years.
“My property taxes went up significantly just like everybody else,” he said. “That's just a lot of them, you know, because of these illegals. Governor Pritzker decided to make this a sanctuary state and now we're all getting illegal immigrants sent here by Texas. So now we're feeling the pain. Who's going to pay for all the existing citizens?”
Balich added that he is disappointed in the lack of information being shared locally.
“They’re not coming in giving us any briefings on any of this stuff,” Balich said. “So why isn’t it that they’re not giving us briefings? Because probably the county executive doesn’t wanna let people know how bad it is. Yeah. Or the sheriff doesn’t want to let people know how or what. Who’s ever in charge wants to keep this stuff quiet?”
Balich's concerns are fueled by his belief that cartels, which he claims are already operating locally, could soon exert significant control over criminal activities in the area.
A 2024 DEA report highlights the dominance of Mexican cartels, particularly Sinaloa and New Generation, in the drug trade, with fentanyl emerging as the most severe threat.
The report reveals that 80% of street-level drugs in Chicago are linked to the Sinaloa cartel, with fentanyl emerging as the most severe threat due to its prevalence in digital drug dealings facilitated through social media platforms.
There have been high profile busts of those engaged in fentanyl trafficking and human trafficking in recent months in Will County.
David Wells, a 54-year-old Wilmington resident, was arrested by Will County Sheriff's deputies on drug-dealing charges, including unlawful possession and intent to deliver over 15 grams of fentanyl.
Will County officials are warning residents about the rising danger of fentanyl-laced heroin, which has been a major factor in the increase of overdose deaths in the area.
Will County Coroner Pat O’Neil reported that nearly all recent overdose fatalities involved fentanyl, an opioid significantly stronger than heroin.
Meanwhile, last fall six men were arrested in Will County during an anti-human trafficking operation conducted by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau.
