NEW YORK – Unhappy Illinois conservatives have found it more and more true that their Midwestern state is one of the most Liberal in the nation – following California and New York's deep Left public policies. Late last month, however, a measure that passed in New York showed Illinois out-Lefting the Empire State on issuing illegal aliens drivers licenses.
The arguments supporters used were the ones Illinoisans heard six years ago when the General Assembly passed the measure WITH the help of numerous Leftist Republicans in the Illinois chambers. The Huffington Post reports on the New York arguments:
The legislation, known as the Green Light Bill, expands access to driver’s licenses to an estimated 265,000 undocumented New Yorkers. Supporters say it will create safer roads, increase state revenue and keep families together by preventing traffic violations from turning into deportations.
“This is life-changing, and we are proud to stand on the right side of history because every New Yorker should have the opportunity to contribute to their economies and communities without fearing that they will be separated from their family because of a routine traffic stop,” Eddie A. Taveras, state immigration manager for the advocacy group FWD.us, said in a statement.
Here's what Illinois Review reported January 8, 2013:
SPRINGFIELD – Tuesday, the Illinois House voted to make Illinois the fourth state in the nation to offer illegal residents access to temporary drivers' licenses. The bill will now go to Governor Pat Quinn, who has already committed to signing the legislation into law.
The legislation received bipartisan support and bipartisan opposition in both state chambers. In the Illinois House, eleven Republicans voted with the Democrats to pass SB 957:
- Dan Brady
- Tom Cross
- Jim Durkin
- Mike Fortner
- David Leitch
- Sid Mathias
- Mike McAuliffe
- Chris Nybo
- Bob Pritchard
- Skip Saviano
- Darlene Senger
(ED NOTE 2019: Only Dan Brady and Jim Durkin remain in the Illinois House from this group)
Eight Democrats broke with their Party and opposed the bill:
- Dan Beiser
- Jerry Costello
- Bill Cunningham
- Mary Flowers
- Frank Mautino
- Brandon Phelps
- Patrick Verschoore
In the Illinois Senate, lawmakers followed a similar bi-partisan path. Democrat senator Bill Haine and Ed Maloney opposed the bill, along with 12 Republicans – Bivins, Bomke, Cultra, Duffy, Christine Johnson, John O. Jones, La Hood, Lauzen, Luechtefeld, McCann, McCarter and Syverson.
Republican Senate members Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Tom Johnson, John Millner, Matt Murphy, Carole Pankau, Chris Radogno, Sue Rezin and Ron Sandack voted "yes" with the Democrat majority.
(ED NOTE 2019: Only Bill Brady and Sue Rezin continue to serve in the Illinois Senate of the above group)
In your opinion, since the passage of this law, are Illinois roads safer, are we saving higher taes due to the promised increased state revenue and are families kept together by preventing traffic violations from turning into deportations?
And now, Illinois allows license holders the option of registering to vote when they renew their drivers' licenses.
Please comment on Illinois Review below…
