McHenry Times

In her bid for House District 66, Dr. Laurie Parman has voiced significant concerns over border security and its implications for local crime rates, following a recent drug bust in McHenry County. 

The apprehension of two Mexican nationals with 17 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl has reignited discussions on immigration policies and law enforcement with the 66th District.

“I'm happy that the sheriff's office in McHenry County apprehended them, that's amazing and that they were detained,” she told McHenry Times. “People are upset when criminals are getting out and they're not being detained, or they're being detained shortly and let out. So it's a big issue for the people in District 66, and one that I'm extremely concerned about.” 

Expressing the sentiments of her constituents, Parman highlighted the primary concerns regarding immigration and its impact on local communities. 

“I've spoken with a lot of people in my district, and they would probably tell you that is their number one issue – people coming up from the border and there's a lot of fear right now,” she said. “They're experiencing low-level crime that they're attributing to people coming up on the border, but they're afraid that it's going to become worse and worse as time goes on.”

Parman also criticized state policies that allocate taxpayer funds to support undocumented immigrants. 

“Obviously, when the state is using the funds of taxpayers in this state to subsidize people who haven't paid into any state funds, that's a problem for people,” she said. 

Citing the influx of around 40,000 illegal immigrants into Illinois since 2021, Parman emphasized the frustration of average taxpayers. 

“This is really what people are upset about,” she said. 

Highlighting broader economic repercussions, Parman pointed to population decline in Illinois and its adverse effects. 

“That's why last year, 146,000 people left the state of Illinois. And that has a cascading effect on our economy,” she noted, stressing the importance of incentivizing small businesses and advocating for residents burdened by rising taxes.

Parman’s comments come after Enrique Navar-Favela and Robert Cristian Chavez-Salgado were apprehended on July 2 at a Super 8 motel in McHenry County where Chavez-Salgado was found with a duffel bag allegedly containing drugs. 

Concerns over the lethal potency of fentanyl were underscored during court proceedings by Judge Carl Metz.

They face serious felony charges including possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. 

According to the Lake and McHenry Scanner Navar-Favela, without U.S. identification, indicated he had planned to return to Mexico soon. 

Crimes linked to organized crime activity oftentimes linked to foreign drug cartels in the state – such as human trafficking, have risen dramatically with drug crime leading the way.

Since 2013, the number of overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl has increased 3,341%. 

A 2024 Drug Enforcement Agency report on the illicit drug trade paints a grim picture of what it calls the "Deadliest Drug Crisis Ever" in America, focusing particularly on Chicago and its surrounding areas. 

The DEA report reveals that an astonishing 80% of all street-level drugs in Chicago are thought to be traced back to the Sinaloa cartel. 

Fentanyl has emerged as the most severe threat, with Mexican cartels, notably Sinaloa and New Generation, dominating the trafficking landscape. 

The report highlights the alarming trend of digital drug dealing, warning about the dangers of purchasing pills through social media platforms, which often contain deadly substances like fentanyl. 

Parman is a veteran educator who holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a research background in school safety. 

She and her husband Greg reside in Sleepy Hollow, where they have raised their family which includes five children and 12 grandchildren. 

Parman is taking on incumbent State Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) in the 66th House District. 

District 66 encompasses all or portions of Algonquin, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, East Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood, Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee.