Treason Accusation Leveled In Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – A Western Springs resident on Monday told village trustees that they may have committed treason in their approach to migrants.

The resident, Chris Recker, was referring to the village's statement last week that it would not restrict the ability of migrants to pass through town.

As of Tuesday, no migrant buses from Texas have stopped in Western Springs, the village's spokeswoman said. Such buses have arrived in other suburbs, with the migrants quickly taken to Chicago-bound trains.

Recker spoke during the public comments part of a Village Board meeting.

Recker, a partner and chief investment officer for Chicago-based AZA Capital Management, warned the village about the possibility of agents of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Chinese Communist Party entering the village.

"Have you asked parents if they are fine with their children walking and riding their bikes near busloads of foreign men?" he said. "Do you think foreign men will notice the kids in our community? They might be easily targeted. It's a very safe community."

Recker, who served in the U.S. Army, said local police officers are not prepared to deal with "this stuff."

About the migrants, he said, "You assume these are all good people. I know they're not."

He ended his statement by leveling an accusation against Western Springs officials.

"By aiding and comforting enemies of the United States, you are most likely committing treason," Recker said.

Village President Heidi Rudolph told Recker that he could follow up with Police Chief Sean Gilhooley.

"I appreciate your comments," she said.

She said the residents' safety is the village's priority and that Western Springs wanted to ensure a safe bus-to-train passage.

Rudolph also said the village was not aware of any issues with migrants going from buses to trains in other towns.

In her statement Friday, Rudolph indicated the village was not enacting restrictions on buses similar to those in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills.

At Monday's board meeting, another Western Springs resident, Clare Kralovec, said she backed the village's approach. She said she appreciated people's concerns about migrants.

"We have helped to settle refugees, which I know is a little different because they have refugee status," said Kralovec, an attorney. "People don't leave their homelands easily. Most of these people are here and really sad to be here. Refugees want to be in their countries more than anything in the world. I think these people do too."

She said "some bad eggs" may be among the migrants.

"But most people are looking to be safe, to be fed and to be warm," she said.

During last week's Hinsdale Village Board meeting, residents expressed concern about migrants spreading illnesses and causing dangers to children downtown. One woman said she saw two migrants wearing ankle bracelets.

In Clarendon Hills, a resident said the migrants would not assimilate and would take others' freedoms away.