South Cook News

David Sheppard, a candidate for Illinois House District 36, emphasized the importance of political leaders promoting calm and responsibility while urging respect for law enforcement and the right to peaceful protest. This statement was made in a provided statement.

"Leadership has a duty to bring calm—not stoke chaos," said Sheppard. "When elected officials put themselves ahead of the people, citizens get misled into believing that violence or protest without boundaries is acceptable—and that's dangerous. Nobody has the right to harm our federal men and women in uniform who are simply enforcing laws passed by Congress. We must demand our leaders act responsibly, not recklessly."

Following a report by WAND TV, Illinois House Republicans accused Governor J.B. Pritzker of using rhetoric that could incite hostility toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after his comments condemning federal immigration enforcement. Lawmakers argued that his statements might exacerbate tensions at protests and urged restraint from elected officials. The controversy highlighted divisions over state and federal law enforcement coordination, as reported by WAND TV.

According to the Associated Press, 13 protesters were arrested outside a Chicago-area ICE facility in 2024 after demonstrators blocked entrances during a standoff with federal agents. The confrontation drew bipartisan concern and renewed debate over policing strategies and political rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.

A 2024 report by Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative found that political rhetoric directly influences protest behavior, with heightened polarization linked to increased risks of violence or disorder. The study, based on data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) and other monitoring projects, highlighted the need for de-escalatory messaging from public leaders nationwide.

Sheppard is a Republican and former police chief who ran for Illinois House District 36 in 2022, emphasizing public safety, education reform, and veteran support. A U.S. Navy veteran, he has been active in local school board initiatives and continues advocating for community safety, according to Ballotpedia.

Illinois House District 36 is located in Chicago’s southwest suburbs within Cook County and elects one member to the 118-seat Illinois House of Representatives every two years. The district is currently represented by Democrat Kelly M. Burke and includes diverse suburban communities, according to Ballotpedia.