SPRINGFIELD - The three candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the Feb. 5 election to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller are talking tough when it comes to illegal immigration.

The trio agrees that some kind of wall or barrier should be built along the U.S.-Mexico border to stem the tide of illegal crossings and none favor granting amnesty to illegal immigrants who are already in the country.

The three all said immigration could play a key role in the race to take on Democratic candidate Debbie Halvorson of Crete and Green Party candidate Jason Wallace of Normal in the November general election in the 11th Congressional District. The district runs from Chicago's south suburbs to Bloomington-Normal.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann says questions about illegal immigration are typically the first he receives when he is on the campaign trail.

"It really was somewhat surprising to me," said Baldermann, who has Weller's backing in the GOP primary.

Airline pilot Terry Heenan, a political newcomer, says illegal immigration isn't just a jobs issue.

"Since 9-11, it's a national security issue," said Heenan, also a New Lenox resident.

The third Republican candidate, Jimmy Lee of North Utica, said he brings a unique outlook to the debate. Both his parents legally emigrated to the U.S. from China in the 1970s.

On key immigrations issues, the trio of Republicans have similar "get-tough" beliefs.

All three support the idea of a wall separating the U.S.-Mexican border.

But, Lee said, "As much as building a wall is a solution, I think it's only one piece of the solution."

Baldermann said he supports building a wall, but also says it is only a temporary solution.

"What we need to do is fix the problem, not just erect a wall," said Baldermann.

Heenan supports the use of a national employment database that could identify whether a person is in the U.S. illegally.

"If they can't find jobs here, a lot of them will just go back to their homes," said Heenan.

None of them support granting amnesty to all illegal immigrants who are already in the country. At the same time, none believe deporting all illegal immigrants is a feasible answer to the problem.

"What you can't do is put everyone on a bus and send them back. That's not the answer," said Baldermann. "It's just not the right thing to do."

Like his counterparts, Heenan said companies that hire illegal immigrants must be held accountable.

Efforts to offer citizenship to illegal immigrants must be streamlined, Baldermann said. If people don't take advantage of that, then they can be deported.

Businesses that employ illegal immigrants should be educated about the rules. Then they should be fined and eventually shuttered, Baldermann said.

When it comes to companies that hire illegal immigrants, Lee agrees.

"If they are going to employ illegal immigrants, they should be fined," said Lee. "I think we need to help them become citizens and we need to be able to keep accountable businesses who are employing illegal immigrants."

The three all agree that benefits shared by legal citizens should not be extended to illegal immigrants.

As a chief of police in Chicago Heights, Baldermann refused to sign a petition supporting the idea of giving illegal immigrants driving privileges.

"You don't reward criminal behavior with a benefit," said Baldermann. "I know it seems harsh to say that this is criminal behavior, but it is. They are here illegally."

Heenan and Lee also say "no" when it comes to driver's licenses for illegals.

"I think that's a huge mistake. Once you do that, you're legitimizing their status," said Heenan.

Said Lee, "I just don't think that we should be taking care, with government resources, (of) those people who are here illegally."

The candidates also say there should be no law allowing the children of illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates to public universities. All three also oppose extending welfare benefits to those in the country illegally.

Balderman and Heenan also are clear in their support of making English the official language of the United States.

Lee, however, said he's not sure.

"I don't know if you can mandate that. But I believe very strongly in it," Lee said. "I speak Chinese, Spanish and English. If you're going to be here in the United States, I think that you should know English."

None of the candidates had a specific plan for addressing the issue of illegal immigration.

But, they all agreed that the rights of illegal immigrants should not supersede those of legal citizens.

"I don't think they should go to the front of the line. I think they should go to the back of the line," said Lee.