Illegal Border Crossings Today:

Illinois Legislators Seek to Provide More Benefits to Illegal Aliens in 2021

April 29, 2021
Illinois state flag

The Illinois 102nd General Assembly is picking up where it left off in 2020. Both the Senate and House of Representatives have veto-proof Democrat majorities and Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) continues to advocate for even more benefits for illegal aliens, while putting Illinois citizens last.

Over the past several years, Illinois has already enacted radical immigration policies including a sanctuary law, granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, providing in-state tuition to illegal aliens and offering landlord-tenant protections to illegal aliens.  But these policies are not enough for Illinois legislators who keep trying to up the ante.  Their efforts to provide benefits to illegal aliens have continued to act as a magnet for more illegal immigration. FAIR’s Research department estimated that Illinois ranks sixth in their total illegal alien population in the United States, at 585,000, and with their U.S.-born children included, the number increases to 787,000.

This session, FAIR is opposing the following bills in the state:

Senate Bill (SB) 225 sponsored by Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago)

  • Prohibits the Secretary of State (who issues driver’s licenses in Illinois) from providing facial recognition searches or photographs obtained in the process of issuing driver’s licenses or ID cards to any government entity for purposes of enforcing federal immigration laws.
     
  • The bill passed the Senate on April 22 and is currently in the House Rules Committee.

SB 1986 also sponsored by Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago)

  • Expands on Illinois’ 2017 sanctuary state law, the “Illinois Trust Act.”
     
  • Similar to the numerous “courthouse lockout” bills that have been passed around the country, SB 1986 goes even further by “limiting assistance with immigration enforcement at the following facilities to the fullest extent possible”: (1) public schools and public colleges; (2) hospitals, emergency or urgent care facilities, nursing homes, and group homes; (3) public libraries; (4) facilities operated by the Office of the Secretary of State; and (5) courthouses.
  • Bans state and local law enforcement officers from inquiring about anyone’s citizenship or immigration status or birthplace, even if they’re detained or arrested, unless provided with a judicial warrant or other court order. 
     
  • Prevents any law enforcement agency from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities to enforce civil immigration law.
     
  • Is currently in the Senate Assignments Committee.

SB 1596 sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago)

  • Adds citizenship and immigration status as grounds to enhance criminal charges as hate crimes.
     
  • The bill passed the Senate on April 23 and is currently in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill (HB) 3171 sponsored by Representative Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago)

  • Allows non-citizens, including illegal aliens, to be appointed to any board, commission, authority, or task force authorized or created by the State or by the Governor as long as the person is 18 years of age and resides within Illinois
     
  • Is modeled on similar legislation adopted in California
     
  • Is currently, the bill is in the House Rules Committee.

Should any of these bills pass both chambers in identical form, Gov. Pritzker would be almost certain to sign them.