WHEATON, Ill. (WBBM Newsradio) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski is voicing support for federal immigration enforcement in Chicago, while taking aim at Governor JB Pritzker’s handling of the issue.
At a press conference in DuPage County, where he also picked up endorsements from former DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan, former state Rep. Jeanne Ives, and former state Rep. Tom Morrison, Dabrowski was asked about armed federal agents patrolling downtown as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Dabrowski said he believes state leaders should work with federal authorities instead of opposing them.
“I really wish the governor would cooperate with the federal authorities so that we don’t have to have federal authorities running around chasing people,” Dabrowski said. “By not cooperating with the federal authorities, we’re creating more of a mess.”
He also accused Pritzker of inflaming tensions around the federal presence.
“I think the governor’s words have been fomenting violence and fomenting these agitators to get even more fired up. I wish Governor Pritz would come out and say, stop, we do not want violence. We will not attack our federal authorities. They’re doing their work,” Dabrowski said.
The Wilmette Republican tied his criticism to his campaign pledge to repeal Illinois’ sanctuary state law, arguing the state should prioritize residents over what he called “billions of welcoming dollars” for new arrivals.
Dabrowski, president of the conservative policy group Wirepoints, entered the 2026 GOP primary earlier this month as the early fundraising leader.
He faces a likely challenge from former state Sen. Darren Bailey, the GOP’s 2022 nominee, along with DuPage County Sheriff Jim Mendrick and Lake Forest resident Joe Severino.