North Cook News

Michelle Hunter, a candidate for District 54, issued a stern warning to voters about the potential for chaos in the Illinois legislature if Democrats are not curtailed. 

"Voters beware, there are all kinds of craziness in store in the Illinois Legislature as long as their colleagues either condone or stay neutral on important issues like this," Hunter said, according to her Facebook post. "There is a public safety crisis that has been brought on [by] activists who serve special interests and ideologies over their constituents. Illinois will continue to decline in stature as all of this nonsense is allowed to become the norm."

According to information on the Illinois General Assembly page for the bill, Hunter is referring to legislation filed by Rep. Justin Slaughter on Jan. 29. It was referred to the Rules Committee two days later. The proposed law would prohibit law enforcement officers from stopping motor vehicles for various infractions including failure to display registration plates or stickers; operating with expired registration; violating speed restrictions unless it constitutes a misdemeanor or felony; failing to comply with requirements concerning vehicle lamps; among other issues.

Screenshot of Michelle Hunter's March 8 Facebook post | Michlle Hunter for IL State Representative Facebook page

In her social media update, Hunter stated, "There's no doubt Representative Slaughter's legislation was a trial balloon that was shot down immediately by every law enforcement agency with any sense and probably quashed by his fellow Democrats who control the legislature because this, after all, is an election year. Democrats promised that the so-called SAFE-T Act was just a start as well as their gun control measures are also just a start."

She continued, "The Slaughter legislation, no pun intended, was 'pulled', a term used for immediately putting a bill back in the box. The fact that this Representative had the confidence to initially introduce such a crazy proposal is indicative of the make up of the state legislature and the confidence that the current majority has that they can do whatever they wish and there will be no consequences from the voters."

Hunter's campaign platform for her run at the 54th House District seat includes repealing House Bill 3653, also known as the SAFE-T Act.

Raised in a small Iowa town where she worked in her family’s gift shop and coffee café, Hunter graduated near top of her class at both undergraduate and law school levels at the University of Iowa. She then spent fifteen years as a law clerk with the Second District Appellate Court. As a legislator, Hunter plans to use her legal expertise, including reading and analyzing legislation, to advocate for her constituents and address community issues. In addition to her legal career, Hunter is a published author, has worked for a marketing firm in Chicago, holds licenses as a Foster Caregiver and Adoptive Parent, and actively supports animal welfare organizations such as Bombshell Bullies.