FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2017
CONTACT
Brandon Lee – blee@advancingjustice-chicago.org, 773-259-5288
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago
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.