* Tribune…
Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants Gov. Bruce Rauner to publicly back his efforts to promote Chicago as a welcoming place for immigrants as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
A resolution sponsored by Emanuel, new Democratic state Comptroller Susana Mendoza and 35 of the city’s 50 aldermen calls on Rauner to issue a statement of “support for cities that welcome our undocumented family members and neighbors and condemn any effort to strip the city of Chicago of federal funding.”
Chicago Democrats also are attempting to whistle in the Republican governor — the resolution, which was advanced Monday by a City Council committee, calls on Rauner to speak at a special council meeting “held solely for the purpose of discussing the president-elect’s plans for cities that welcome and protect immigrants.”
Asked to respond to the specifics of the city resolution, a Rauner spokeswoman instead issued a general statement reiterating the governor’s support for immigration reform. Rauner has spent much of the last year avoiding even the mention of Trump’s name.
Your thoughts?
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:25 am:
Good luck with that.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:29 am:
My thoughts are, the more Rauner’s feet can be held to the fire on things like this, the better.
Also, the more Rauner can be tied to Trump, the better. Forbes ran a story December 4 speculating that Trump may not propose a budget next year, contrary to the Congressional budget Act — a move right out of the Rauner playbook.
- North of Halsted - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:29 am:
Anything to deflect from the 700+ homicides so far in Chicago this year. Good try, Rahm!
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:30 am:
This is kind of a stretch. A pretty wide one.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:36 am:
Isn’t the Trump administration proposing a federal funds cutoff for so-called sanctuary cities under certain circumstances.
Of course, who knows what the new admin will actually do. But a loss of federal funds would require Emanuel to make up the money somewhere.
That would be local and state taxpayers, I guess, so good to have the guv and the legislature on board.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:37 am:
How is it a stretch A guy? Rauner claims to have no social agenda, immigration is a federal issue, and keep going families together is good for Chicago. As a bonus, the politics are great for him with Latinos and other immigrant communities. I really don’t see a downside for Rauner. This is low-hanging fruit, a hanging curveball, etc.
Plus it gives him something to actually do, to demonstrate he’s a leader, to remind everyone that we have a Governor. For a man whose only accomplishment is bailing out profitable companies and foisting a rate hike on consumers, I’d be looking to add some more items to my win column if I were him.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:38 am:
I’m sure Rauner will have a meaningful conversation with Trump on this issue… right after he once again reminds Trump who he is
- Robert the 1st - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:38 am:
If “immigrant” is the new code-word for illegal alien, what do progressive Democrats call legal immigrants? Serious question. Or do they lump legal immigrants in with the invaders who ignore our laws?
- Big Joe - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:39 am:
No Way that’s happening. Bruce is too busy putting together a balanced budget. /s
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:41 am:
That’s as likely as Rahm dancing in the next COWL show/fund-raiser.
- Rod - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:47 am:
Why in the world would Governor Rauner even respond to this request? For Hispanic votes? I can’t discuss the issue on a statewide level, but in the City in the predominantly Hispanic wards on the southwest side were east wins for Quinn. Quinn won 84 percent in the 22nd Ward (South Lawndale), which is 87 percent Hispanic and 8 percent African-American. In Alderman Ed Burke’s 14th Ward (Archer Heights, West Elsdon, Brighton Park, Gage Park), which is 80 percent Hispanic and 17 percent white, Quinn got 74 percent. In the 12th Ward (McKinley Park), which is 82 percent Hispanic, 9 percent white, and 7 percent Asian, he got 78 percent.
There is no political reason for Governor Rauner to support the Mayor’s offer.
- justacitizen - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Rauner should attend the special meeting and respond that he supports the current immigration laws.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Rauner’s best response is to say “Immigration is a Federal issue. I am focused on State issues.”
He needs to keep out of this as much as possible. There is no political win for him here.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:54 am:
The downside for Rauner, Rahm and all Chicagoans is openly antagonizing an incoming administration jeapardizing federal funds and influence in Washington we desperately need.
The city council is busy patting itself on the back for voting to remove Trump Plaza street signs. Only one alderman, Patrick O’Connor warned what a terrible idea starting a war with a new Administration is.
Much better to make a positive case for Chicago and to list the ways we can work with them and agree to disagree where we need to
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:56 am:
It’s akin to a Republican mayor asking a Democratic governor to stand with him on a right to life stance.
- Not It - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:57 am:
The Governor should respond that he is 100% focused on bringing jobs to Illinois by passing a balanced state budget and implementing some much needed reforms to the State’s job creation environment, and that he would be happy to come to the City Council to speak on those issues, and also to ask the Mayor and the City Council to help him convince legislators to help him in his efforts to bring much needed jobs to Illinois and the City of Chicago.
- CrazyHorse - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Sanctuary cities are good for pols who need Hispanic votes and the illegals themselves. For everyone else, it’s just bad policy.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 9:59 am:
I think Chicago and Cook law enforcement have their hands full right now. They don’t need a fat new unfunded federal mandate to scratch the populist masses’ itch.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Hey, maybe that guy who shouted at the Rahm presser on the issue can be there too! (the guy who said that even those immigrants not legally in the US, and in Chicago, who commit crimes should be given sanctuary!)
- cdog - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:03 am:
My feeling is that no one wants to tear apart families.
If undocumented as a child, or long time DECENT residents who came in by plane, “coyote,” etc., you should be safe from being repatriated to some other country. Immigration reform compromises should fix this.
Not so for violent criminals! They should be handled swiftly, now, and should have been previously!
Why would Emanuel not want to have the Feds help him clear Chicago of a class of criminals? It’s a win/win, fewer criminals on someone else’s dime.
Chicago will continue to be at GREAT RISK because of Emanuel’s lack of clear thinking, and his choice to carry water for too far left Dems.
- Louis G Atsaves - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Oath of Office to support the Constitution and laws of this great nation? Separation of powers between federal and state laws and authority? On another thread the “no budget no pay” support is “mocking” oaths of office, but here it is not.
Depends on who is doing the “mocking” I guess.
- Roman - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:05 am:
Be careful Dems.
As fun as it is to make Rauner squirm, don’t lose sight of the fact that you will be facing a mid-term electorate in 2018, one which will not be as friendly as the one that went to the polls last month.
I’d stick to a Rauner-is-screwing-the-middle-class message as much as possible.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:08 am:
===you will be facing a mid-term electorate in 2018, one which will not be as friendly as the one that went to the polls last month.===
1) Stop making predictions. Almost everybody has been wrong for 2 solid years (Rauner and Trump);
2) Look at the midterm results here from the last GOP president (2006). Not pretty for Republicans.
- Ken_in_Aurora - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:09 am:
Rahm lost me at “undocumented.”
- Robert the 1st - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:09 am:
=My feeling is that no one wants to tear apart families.=
Don’t we separate families every time we send a criminal to prison?
- Ex Spsa - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Not all illegals are Hispanic. The city is an immigrant city, without the sanctuary you would destroy whole pockets of the city: uptown,Pilsen. Devon, Jefferson Park etc. Illinois is hurting there is an economic reason why Chicago needs to remain a sanctuary city beyond it being the right thing. And anyone who knows families were one member is illegal and the rest legal would never question how splitting up families helps a community.
- Frank - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:11 am:
You can’t take care of the taxpayers that live there . now you want to make it a safe haven for illegals haha funny
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -
If you want to troll me, at least do it where I made the comment, lol.
I haven’t commented here, and the Constitutionality here… I’ll listen to what is being said, what’s being attempted, and what the law, legality, and the reality is.
- Ex Spsa - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Illegals buy homes, products, pay taxes, real estate taxes, haha funny, not so much.
- CrazyHorse - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
==I think Chicago and Cook law enforcement have their hands full right now. They don’t need a fat new unfunded federal mandate to scratch the populist masses’ itch.==
I could be wrong but I haven’t heard of any federal mandates being pushed. All I’ve heard is that the Feds want these individuals turned in and over if in city custody. As far as I am aware they are not requesting anyone to actively use the police budget to round up illegals. If a guy gets busted with a gun or committing a crime and it turns out he’s illegal he would get turned over to the Feds is how I’m hearing it. Doesn’t seem like it’s asking for much considering these are people already in police custody.
- Sue - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Hey Rahm as your former boss was so fond of telling R’s, elections have consequences. You lost so suck it up
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:29 am:
This is all about Mayor Emanuel trying to fortify himself to fend off a Chuy Garcia or other Hispanic candidate. If the 2014 numbers above are right, yeah there is not much incentive for the Governor to take a side on this issue, and certainly not just because the Chicago City Council is calling on him to do anything.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:29 am:
President Obama muscled through the stimulus package, the auto bailout, cap-and-trade and the ACA all before the summer of 2010. President-elect Trump could very well take the same tact with his proposals. If he senses that he will be a one-term president - or if he only wants to be a one-term president - then anything he wants done needs to get done NOW and not sometime in late 2018 or early 2019. People need to take the possibility of him choking off funds very seriously.
Given how much money Illinois and the city of Chicago get from the feds I think Mr. Emanuel might want to reassess his stance on this issue. The sheer amount of Homeland Security and FEMA moneys that find their way to large cities - who also happen to be sanctuary cities - may very dry up and then the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, the Chicago P.D. and not-for-profit grant recipients will be left holding the bag.
- NobodysAccountable - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:31 am:
A city drowning in $50-60 Billion in total debt which happens to be the “economic engine” for a state that is $140-150 Billion is going to tell their federal monetary IV. We don’t need to abide by the law. How is this any different than not following the constitution on a number of issues? What part of illegal in illegal alien don’t these people understand? There is a reason we are a blue state drowning in a sea of red, figuratively and realistically. Bad decisions generally result in bad outcomes.
- Jose Abreu's next homer - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:34 am:
I keep telling the IRS and the city’s finance dept that my taxes are in a sanctuary check accounting but it never works. It’s fun to pick which laws you want to follow.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:36 am:
In 2014, Rauner pledged to use his office as Republican Governor to lobby Washington to pass immigration reform.
I have not seen any evidence of that.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:38 am:
While I’m not surprised at the contempt many of you have for undocumented immigrants, I am surprised that the otherwise rational political analysts can’t get past that and understand Rauner’s choice here. He can either stand with Illinois families or he can stand with Donald Trump. There is no third choice.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:41 am:
==Given how much money Illinois and the city of Chicago get from the feds I think Mr. Emanuel might want to reassess his stance on this issue.==
This statement is not rooted in reality. Under President Obama, Illinois has received even less in what it sends to DC. Probably in part due to overcompensating for the dumb national narrative parroted in your comment.
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-government/2700/
- Anony - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:51 am:
So, Rahm is trying to help Rauner now? Sanctuary city may play well in Chicago, but giving the governor the opportunity to refuse to protect illegal aliens will tend to help him elsewhere.
- LessAnon? - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:55 am:
The Governor should commit only to upholding the law and should expect nothing less from other public officials in Illinois. The idea that states and municipalities can just pick and choose when they want to be part of our republic and when they don’t is ludicrous and should be ridiculed as such. Sadly, too many of our population have no idea we even are a republic and little to no interest in bothering to learn how and why. Otherwise, nonsense like this would not be making news. SMH.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:10 am:
10:41 - the state, Cook County and Chicago police and emergency planning entities receive money from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. Do they receive the same level of funding as other states and cities?! No - but we still get $$$ from the feds for law enforcement, anti-terrorism efforts, immigration control/containment, etc. What federal agencies falls under DHS’s purview? Citizenship & Immigration Services, Border Patrol, Federal Law Enforcement Training, and the TSA. All of those programs could (and likely will) see a new direction, and cities that stand firm and remain sanctuary cities may very well suffer the brunt of President Trump’s policies.
I am not parroting a “dumb national narrative”. I understand that we are net losers at the federal level. I am also not trying to tie Trump’s anti-immigration and pro-law enforcement stances to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, military contractors/pay, etc. I am merely noting how a sanctuary city’s law enforcement and DHS grant money could be impacted by Trump’s policies and agency implementation. Remember that President Bush’s expanded DHS programs often “favored” red states and red cities and often overlooked areas such as Chicago or St. Louis or New York or Boston.
When this happens what will Mayor Emanuel’s response be? Will it be more indignation? Or will he press the reset button?
- Robert the 1st - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:25 am:
=Illegals buy homes, products, pay taxes, real estate taxes=
Couldn’t the same be said about any other type of criminal?
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:27 am:
This controversy perhaps benefits Rahm temporarily but that’s about it.
I don’t think it benefits Mendoza in her statewide re-elect (she should focus on thw new job and the state’s bills).
If Teump cuts funds to the city based on Rahm’s sanctuary cities, Rauner will be rewarded by state voters for doing nothing to help them. He can just proclaim immigration a federal issue and dodge taking a stand with or against Trump.
Proceed carefully, Chicago Dems.
- Meh - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:31 am:
It always amazes me some of the comments on here when it comes to immigration issues.
To the post - whether or not Trump follows through with his promise of restricting federal funds, we’ll see. But it would be nice for Rauner to at least say something against Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. It’ll show Rauner some his independence from the national GOP. I doubt he’ll do that.
- Robert the 1st - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
=anti-immigrant rhetoric=
Again, if “immigrant” now means illegal alien, what do we call legal immigrants? Serious question.
- Ex Spsa - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:10 pm:
Robert the fisrst
Your statement about criminals, is not an argument it’s simply a political trick of asking a ridiculous question and making it seem like it’s innocent and true. It doesn’t warrant a reply.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:21 pm:
Providing continued incentives to illegal immigrants — some people will never learn.
We do not need a wall. A nationwide E-Verify program could work wonders.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
EX Spsa - if an immigrant is here illegally then he or she (or they in terms of a family) is committing a crime. Are you arguing otherwise?
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
I do not fancy myself an immigration extremist so the arguments here are fascinating.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
===is committing a crime===
That’s a civil violation.
Jumping the border is a crime, but you gotta catch them in the act. And a lot of illegals simply over-stayed their visas.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
Rich - yes but it can result in deportation and can result in the U.S. denying reentry.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2014/07/is-illegal-immigration-a-crime-improper-entry-v-unlawful-presence.html
Again - this is why we need to follow how Trump’s administration handles these matters.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
And a lot were brought here as children. Are they criminals too?
See you guys in Church.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
Is federal law enforcement responding to domestic violence calls? Car crashes? Running down burglars? Investigating rape cases, and on and on…..
Local law enforcement has a very general and enormous job. Immigration authorities have a very specific job.
How’s about we let the locals do their big, 24/7/365 job, and the federales do theirs?
Obama broke records for deportations, so they must be on the job.
Local law enforcement does not need an unfunded federal mandate. They’re pretty busy.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
After some harsh words about immigration on the campaign trail, President elect Trump seems to be just focusing on the violent, undocumented criminals.
Specifically requiring the local authorities in so called Sanctuary cities to honor an ICE detainer and not release someone on bond without checking with ICE first.
I don’t understand the resistance here. Law abiding undocumented residents want the bad guys off the streets too.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:31 pm:
== And a lot of illegals simply over-stayed their visas.===
Actually that’s what most have done. It’s a lot easier to go through customs once than the border patrol.
It is at the border where President Obama has set records for deportation. It’s not a complicated science at the border. It is hundreds of miles away and years later.
Permanent non-alien work visas and IDs for those who have been here for a long time without committing violations or crimes. It’s more practical for everyone. Offer legal status without citizenship. Asking them to go back and tag-up over a couple of year time span wouldn’t be too great of a burden.
There are solutions to this.
- Cook County Commoner - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Wouldn’t the Governor supporting Illinois sanctuary cities violate his Article XIII oath to support the US Constitution?
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:44 pm:
Word - not that you are wrong on that concept but perhaps the better way of looking at it (at least from a Devil’s advocate standpoint) is whether or not local law enforcement should be reporting immigration violations. After all the Chief, Superintendent or Commander of a municipal police department serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. If a Mayor such as Rahm Emanuel tells his senior police leadership to turn a blind eye to or not report immigration violations then that is the crux of the argument here. I know that my previous outline was not the most eloquently stated but I think the point is relevant.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 2:07 pm:
–Wouldn’t the Governor supporting Illinois sanctuary cities violate his Article XIII oath to support the US Constitution?–
How so? Be specific.
— “I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of …. to the best of my ability.”
- Meh - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 2:57 pm:
How long has e-verify been an option for employers? Go after them if you want to “punish” anyone. Undocumented immigrants don’t come here to not do anything, they come here to work. Cut them off that and I can assure you many will leave. Except that won’t happen, because many big employers would rather continue to hire and underpay workers than pay a fair salary. Also, another important piece of sanctuary cities/localities is that it gives undocumented immigrants a sense of relief when they engage with the local police. Why would I report a crime if i suspect the police may ask for my immigration status? Someone above mentioned domestic abusers, but why would the victim/survivor call if they might also be undocumented.
Sanctuary cities are not intended to defy federal law just for the sake of it. It is intended to protect and encourage participation from all members of that community - papers or not.
- CrazyHorse - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 2:59 pm:
==Word - not that you are wrong on that concept but perhaps the better way of looking at it (at least from a Devil’s advocate standpoint) is whether or not local law enforcement should be reporting immigration violations.==
Shouldn’t be too difficult to make a phone call to the feds that they have an illegal in their possession. If they arrest someone from Missouri here in Illinois wouldn’t they run a check to see if there are any outstanding warrants on the individual from out of state and if so drop a dime and call Missouri authorities? I mean this isn’t rocket science. Again, no one is suggesting using local resources to “target” and round up illegals. The main point of contention is “criminal” illegals. If we already have them in custody why wouldn’t we want to turn them over? It just makes no sense from any standpoint.
==How’s about we let the locals do their big, 24/7/365 job, and the federales do theirs?==
There are always people calling for federal investigations into “local” police shootings but it’s wrong of them to ask us to place a phone call when we have a criminal in custody? I don’t understand the fence straddle.
- cdog - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 3:15 pm:
How do local officials determine citizenship status when we hand out drivers licenses like Halloween candy.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 4:04 pm:
I don’t think Governor Rauner is going to “support” Mayor Emanuel with respect to Chicago being a sanctuary city. Illinois is a big state out past Chicago. Agree or disagree with the concept of sanctuary cities all you want, but Rahm’s on his own on this one. Many towns and cities in Il welcome immigrants and help them find jobs and assimilate. Very few are “Sanctuary Cities”.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 6:53 am:
Holding on to hope his Syrian comments lands an ambassador like the Iowa govenor?