Today, some of Illinois’ best known Republicans are coming out to publicly support immigration reform and urge Congress to pass legislation in the House. The Illinois Business Coalition is planning the event today, which will feature former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, former Gov. Jim Edgar, former Gov. Jim Thompson and... Continue »
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) voted twice against the Gang of 8 immigration bill working its way through the Senate last week, and immigration reform advocates have been calling him out on it ever since. “Sen. Mark Kirk, where are you?” asked a Chicago Tribune editorial of his position on immigration... Continue »
The Illinois General Assembly passed a bill yesterday that will grant temporary drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, moving the bill to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn (D-IL) who plans to sign it into law.  The legislation passed due to the tireless work of advocates like the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant... Continue »
And a Sign of Momentum in Favor of Immigration Reform The Illinois General Assembly passed a bill yesterday that will grant temporary drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, moving the bill to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn (D-IL) who plans to sign it into law.  The legislation passed due to the... Continue »
Speaking to a rally outside Charlotte's Immigration Court building, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez called on federal authorities Tuesday to drop the deportation case of a South Carolina father of two – both of them U.S. citizens – who has multiple misdemeanor convictions for driving without a license. Continue »
A report released Monday by two Chicago-based human rights groups calls for the Obama administration to close three immigrant detention facilities they accuse of having the most egregious violations, two of which are in Illinois. Continue »
This lesson in judging people was taught to a group of reporters Tuesday afternoon by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.). Apparently the Congressman was looking for Politico reporter Scott Wong, so he asked the other journalists gathered in the Speaker's Lobby for help. Continue »
One of the nation's largest jails has quit holding inmates for an extra period of time when requested by immigration officials. Disregarding those federal requests is the new policy of Cook County, Ill. The county enacted the measure even though the jail holds sometimes help officials deport dangerous illegal... Continue »
Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday signed a measure into law creating a privately funded scholarship program for documented and undocumented immigrants, a move supporters hailed as a civil rights victory as other states have recently moved in the other direction on immigration. Continue »
Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts has decided the state will not participate in a fingerprint-sharing program that is central to the Obama administration's immigration enforcement strategy, dealing a new political blow to a program that has met rising resistance nationwide. Continue »