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* Press release…
Following Community-Led Effort, Gov. Rauner Commits to Sign Illinois TRUST Act
Bill backed by broad coalition would make Illinois a national leader in welcoming immigrants, and provide strongest statewide protections in the country
(CHICAGO, IL) After hundreds of community leaders visited their state legislators in Springfield and in district, thousands of residents called the Governor’s office, and two days after community leaders presented the Governor with over 3,600 postcards collected in just three weeks, the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois is proud to announce that Governor Bruce Rauner has committed to signing the Illinois TRUST Act (SB 31). The TRUST Act received bipartisan support in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. A date and time for the bill signing will be announced shortly.
“At a time when many are scapegoating immigrants, Republicans and Democrats are coming together in Illinois to reject xenophobic rhetoric and policies,” said Andy Kang, legal director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “We want to thank the Governor’s team for working with us in the lead-up to this announcement, and we look forward to the signing ceremony.”
Under the TRUST Act, local police cannot comply with immigration detainers and warrants not issued by a judge. Local police also cannot stop, search, or arrest anyone based on that person’s immigration or citizenship status.
Estela, a founding member of PASO (West Suburban Action Project) and an undocumented mother of three from Melrose Park, was a key leader in the statewide Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois. “This law will go a long way to shield me, my family, my community and hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents from the risk of family separation through deportation. I am grateful that the Governor and the General Assembly have listened to the desires of people from throughout Illinois and bring us one big step closer to make our state welcoming for all.”
“The Illinois TRUST Act will be a national model for common-sense, constitutional state-level immigration policy,” said Mark Fleming, associate director of litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center. “We are proud to live in a state that is taking action to defend basic due process rights for all of our residents, no matter where we come from or what we look like.”
“Illinois will soon have the strongest statewide protections for immigrants in the country. This is due to the tireless efforts of over 60 organizations from across the state that were part of the campaign to pass the TRUST Act,” said Lawrence Benito, chief executive officer at Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, one of the co-conveners of the campaign steering committee. “This accomplishment is a testament to our communities’ power. It shows what we are collectively capable of during these trying times, and sets the stage for our next campaigns and future victories.”
The TRUST Act is the work of the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois, and is endorsed by over 60 community organizations from across the state. The full supporter list can be found at www.TrustInIL.org. The TRUST Act has also received support from legal and advocacy groups, and law enforcement agencies from throughout Illinois.
Rauner was a big believer in the post-2012 GOP “autopsy” recommendations, and this is obviously a continuation of that.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:10 pm
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It wouldn’t surprise me if The Best Team in America has second thoughts about the Governor’s position on this.
Put it this way, I’ll believe he’ll sign it after I see his signature on the bill.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:18 pm
Well, immigration is a federal issue, so I don’t know how important this will be “The Illinois TRUST Act will be a national model for common-sense, constitutional state-level immigration policy”
And I am all for immigration, but where have we come when an actual illegal immigrant, a law breaker, can actually become a leader in the campaign for a Welcoming Illinois? “This law will go a long way to shield me, my family, my community and hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents from the risk of family separation through deportation. aka “This law will help me, my family, and hundreds of thousands to skirt federal law and get away with it on your dime”
Call me anything you want, but it just ain’t right.
And I am an immigrant.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:23 pm
Smart move by Rauner. Likely his conservative media allies can raise other issues/stories during the media cycle for this, while soaking up good press in Cook County and Chicago. Plus, Rauner’s always been a moderate on immigration that tries to avoid these issues. Law enforcement reached agreement w/groups and Cullerton and Radogno, so that’s as good as it gets. His approval ratings are hurting, he can’t survive if he gets destroyed by a huge margin in Chocagoland.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:28 pm
@- allknowingmasterofracoondom -
It doesn’t really “help people skirt federal law.” It lays out the way that state law enforcement interacts with federal agencies, and provides rules on who can and cannot be stopped and searched. It doesn’t actually protect anyone from being deported — it just puts Illinois law enforcement to best use.
Also, not all illegal/undocumented immigrants have actually committed a crime. Something like 40% overstayed visas, which is an administrative rather than criminal offence.
It actually saves the state money because we don’t use our law enforcement budget to do ICE’s work for it.
Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:30 pm
IPI and Rauner like cheap labor.
What else is new?
Comment by Porgy Tirebiter Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:43 pm
Perhaps I’m getting cranky in my old age but I really don’t appreciate someone who has broken the law and continues to refuse to lawfully become a citizen of my country tell me how my tax money should be spent. Next, I guess we’ll have the “Prison Escapees for More Aesthetic Penitentiary Design.”
Comment by Expletivedeleted Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:56 pm
Signing this won’t by popular among the alt-right wing of the GOP.
Comment by anon2 Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:39 pm
@Expletivedeleted: Except that undocumented immigrants DO pay taxes too (Social Security would be in much bigger trouble without their contributions) AND over 80% of these folks live in households with a loved one that is a U.S. citizen or has legal immigration status. That’s how broken our immigration system is and by broken, I mean unjust. Until we fix it, it’s a very realy public safety problem (for all of us) that people are afraid to contact police. Finally, the bill simply reinforces constitutional guidelines for our state; we all still support the constitution right?
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:44 pm
Good for him.
Comment by Periwinkle Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 5:10 pm
- Veil of Ignorance - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
You don’t support the Constitution
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 5:20 pm
And how much is illegal immigration costing the tax payers in Illinois? Plenty for education, social services, law enforcement, and detention.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 5:25 pm
–Rauner was a big believer in the post-2012 GOP “autopsy” recommendations, and this is obviously a continuation of that.–
Yeah, those went over well in the GOP prez primary,lol.
Interesting press release. as it’s thanking the governor for something he hasn’t done yet.
I guess it’s a way to keep the heat on him to honor his commitment.
I suspect Rauner would rather keep it on the down-low.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 7:31 pm
Were is LP now? What a conservative. Old Blue is a fan of legal, legal immigration. Might even go back a few years is ok. But my rub. Immediate penalties for EMPLOYERS hiring illegals. I waive my constitutional rights. Proof of citzenship prior to employment. $10k per violation.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 9:38 pm
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 5:20 pm:
Wow, you really crushed me with that argument. You win. Oh wait, nope. I respect folks having different opinions on this, but then they have to acknowledge that they’re okay with crime victims and witnesses who are too afraid to interact with the police out of fear of deportation. I don’t see any winners in that scenario or how that makes smart public safety policy. This bill doesn’t appear to be talking about criminal judicial warrants…just to be clear.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 11:25 pm
This is very disturbing. People have no idea how dangerous this measure is and it will allow thousands of alien criminals to kill and commit other felonies to Illinois citizens.
Comment by sides Friday, Aug 4, 17 @ 9:04 am
–Sides–
That conclusion is not really supported by the data: goo.gl/rEQwyG
Comment by Actual Red Friday, Aug 4, 17 @ 9:23 am
I am totally against it.
Comment by Americangirl Sunday, Aug 13, 17 @ 6:34 pm
This law is a travesty when we reward and protect criminal behavior. I’ll vote against each politician who supported this bill, including Rauner.
Comment by Law Abiding Citizen Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 9:42 am