CHICAGO – With the notice that President Trump was authorizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) units in major cities like Chicago to enforce judges' rulings rejecting certain families' asylum requests, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law three bills protecting those living in Illinois without legal papers.
Last Friday, the governor signed the measures in an effort "to protect Illinois' immigrant community amid growing attacks from the federal government," Pritzker's office said in a press statement. While signing the bill, Pritzker blasted the president's actions.
“Illinois is and always will be a welcoming state,” Pritzker said. “Let me be perfectly clear: the state of Illinois stands as a firewall against Donald Trump’s attacks on our immigrant communities. In the face of attempts to stoke fear, exploit division, and force families into the shadows, we are taking action."
The policies – passed by the Democrat-controlled Illinois General Assembly and backed by Pritzker made Illinois a state even more entrenched in immigration sanctuary policies. The previous Governor Bruce Rauner – a Republican – signed into law legislation which started the state down the path of illegal immigrant protection.
"We will not allow private entities to profit off of the intolerance of this president," Pritzker said. "We will not allow local police departments act as an extension of ICE. And we will ensure that every student in this state who wants to go to college should be able to do so without saddling themselves with debt for the rest of their lives.”
HB 2040 bans immigrant detention centers in the state of Illinois, halting the proposed federally-run center in Dwight, Ill. Specifically, the bill prohibits state, county and local governments from entering any agreement or making any financial transactions with a private detention facility, with an exception for contracts with providers of ancillary services such as medical or food services.
This bill makes Illinois the first state in the nation to ban private civil detention centers, after the state already banned private criminal detention centers. HB 2040 takes effect immediately.
HB 1637 prohibits local law enforcement agencies from engaging in federal immigration enforcement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
While local law enforcement agencies in 21 states, including Wisconsin, participate in the 287(g) Program — an ICE program that allows local law enforcement officials to identify and remove undocumented residents from the U.S. — Illinois now statutorily prohibits participation. This bill ensures witnesses of all backgrounds can come forward and report crime to their local police. HB 1637 takes effect immediately.
HB 2691 allows undocumented and transgender students to received MAP grants and institutional aid at public institutions. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission estimates that approximately 3,500 additional students will qualify for a MAP grant as a result of this new law.
While citizenship status and registration in selective service are required for federal financial aid, any Illinois resident is now qualified for state financial aid. The bill also allows students who used MAP grants to help pay for at least 75 credit hours to continue receiving scholarships rather than cut them off until they attain junior status. HB 2691 takes effect immediately.
