Illinois
Jackie Williamson: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 47
Jackie Williamson
Bio
Party: Democrat
Office Sought: Illinois House District 47
City: Wheaton
Age: 36
Occupation: Benefits specialist
Previous offices held: Outreach Officer for the Democratic Party of Milton Township
How should the state respond to the influx of migrants bussed here from Southern states?
As I’ve been knocking on doors, I hear a lot of different opinions and perspectives — including a range of thoughts on immigration issues. But not one single person believes busing people across the country like cargo for political gain is a solution.
People in our communities want to focus on what we can control. Illinois cannot change border policy or the international factors that are driving migration.
The federal government can and should act, but a bipartisan border bill was derailed by MAGA politicians who again wanted to create problems to score political points, rather than solve problems.
Meanwhile, what Illinois can control is whether our communities have the resources they need to deal with the governor of Texas’ reckless games. I want to work with our community leaders, compassionate service organizations, and law enforcement to ensure they have all the resources they need from the state, so none of these costs are passed on to homeowners already facing high property taxes.
Are you satisfied with the state’s existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?
My background in Human Resources has given me a keen understanding of ethics and how important it is that the people we trust to represent us, hold themselves to a higher standard. We’ve seen at the local level, state level, and federal level how some bad actors will always look to exploit loopholes in the system for their own benefit. We need to identify and close those loopholes before we read about them in the paper.
Ultimately, real meaningful change and building trust has to come from elected officials themselves. People want to feel like those representing them actually care. That starts with showing up to community meetings, being accessible to folks, and continually meeting and talking to community stakeholders. Every day in my current role and on the campaign, I am doing those things to ensure that the people I work for and with, know that I will always have their best interests in mind.
Would you support a requirement that election petitions include a line asking candidates for their campaign email address?
I would support this initiative. I believe that those seeking office should be accessible to voters.
How well do you think criminal justice reforms made in recent years are working? What, if any, changes need to be made?
First and foremost, any criminal justice legislation must include input from communities, law enforcement, and all other important stakeholders. We need to ensure our police have the tools they need right now to keep us safe, while also funding the resources that address the root causes of crime.
But too often politicians want to talk tough about crime during election years and then find a tired excuse to vote against funding for our police, for mental health, and for violence prevention when it’s time to put their money where their mouth is. Our safety isn’t a political game to me.
That’s why I’m going to support efforts to put more officers on our streets and keep our great officers on the job. That’s why I’m also going to prioritize education, mental health, and resources that build strong, safe communities.
We now have an assault weapons ban in Illinois. What if any changes should be made to the law? What more can be done to improve gun safety?
It seems like almost every day we hear another tragic story of someone affected by gun violence. This IS a preventable issue and there are still a number of ways we can improve gun safety in Illinois.
I strongly support the assault rifle weapons ban that Illinois recently passed and believe that to continue to stop the threat of gun violence in our state, we need to pass Karina’s Bill, which would protect victims of domestic violence from gun violence. We again must also address the root cause of what would lead people to violence. I know that if we invest in our communities, we will see a reduction in gun violence.
Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates regular behind-the-wheel tests for senior drivers. Do you support any changes?
Ensuring our streets are safe for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians is paramount. I know that this is an issue that has come up frequently in the past legislative session. I would like to talk to all stakeholders in the conversation and ensure whatever we do does not put a burden on our seniors and also keeps everyone safe.
What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?
My professional background is in human resources. In a nutshell, I listen to folks and work with them to find solutions every day. I hear directly from hardworking individuals about issues affecting their lives, such as limited access to health care, high food and gas prices, and insufficient paychecks.
Being a part of these conversations is what inspired me to run to represent our DuPage County communities. Listening to how my employees are struggling has brought me to want to bring my skills to the state legislature to listen to folks and find solutions that help the community.
SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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