South Cook News

Christine Shanahan McGovern, a candidate for Illinois State House District 36, emphasized the need for enhanced border security in a Facebook post dated October 2. She said, "During my interview I was asked if President Trump needed better security."

"I recently participated in a press conference with Bob Fioretti, Michelle for Cook County Clerk and several other Conservative candidates," said Shanahan McGovern, according to Facebook. "During my interview I was asked if President Trump needed better security. My response was EVERY AMERICAN needs better security."

According to Shanahan McGovern, "These statistics should scare the heck out of everyone." She cited data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming there are over 650,000 illegal immigrants in the United States, with 435,000 being convicted criminals. The breakdown she provided includes figures such as 105,000 assaults, 3,372 kidnappings, 12,111 sexual offenses (excluding an additional 20,061 sexual assaults), 14,944 homicides, and 13.099 convicted individuals living among communities.

Screenshot of Christine Shanahan McGovern's Oct. 2 Facebook post | Christine Shanahan McGovern for IL State Representative District 36 Facebook page

The statistics referenced by Shanahan McGovern originate from a September 25 letter addressed to Representative Tommy Gonzalez by Patrick J. Lechleitner. Lechleitner serves as Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of ICE. This letter was a response to an earlier request from Gonzalez dated March 13. Additionally, it provided information on detention capacity funded for up to 41,500 beds through the end of the fiscal year 2024—an increase of 7,500 beds compared to fiscal year 2023.

Shanahan McGovern is running as a Republican candidate for Illinois State House District. She describes herself as a "Mom on a Mission," emphasizing her roles as a mother and business owner committed to her community where she has resided for nearly three decades. Her campaign website highlights her background in business ownership and education in economics and communication.

She advocates for safer communities and expresses concerns about education policies. As part of 'Re-open Illinois,' she opposes what she describes as "tyrannical control" during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Shanahan McGovern refers to these economic shutdowns as "an economic failure" that should not recur and calls for reducing government control to preserve capitalism.