Illinois: Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
The 65-46 vote where 11 Republicans, some in leadership positions, joined Democrats to extend legal licenses came after a long, heated debate (SB 957).
Conservative activist William J. Kelly criticized the law.
"This kind of legislation has spurred a serious fraud problem in New Mexico and other states where it has been enacted," Kelly wrote in the State Journal-Register. "Papers have been forged, auto repair shops have been regularly listed as places of residence, and more illegal driver’s licenses schemes have caused headaches for law enforcement as foreigners from other countries come to the state to fraudulently receive a U.S. driver’s license."
Indeed, New Mexico's Governor has been fighting to repeal her state's licenses for illegals law.
Safety concerns were foremost in mind of detractors of this bill. One of the biggest concerns was that fingerprinting is not included in the law.
Supporters claimed that the bill would show Illinois to be a "welcoming" place for law-abiding illegal immigrants that just want to work and make a living.
"Our entire state would benefit from Senate Bill 957. If only half the 250,000 get [temporary licenses] and get insured, Illinois insurance policy holders would save $46 million per year," said Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) on January 7. "Police officers would be able to know who they're stopping."
But at least one Illinois police chief disagreed with Rep. Acevedo. During the debate on the bill Hanover Park Police Chief David Webb told the House Transportation Vehicles & Safety Committee that there just weren't enough safety measures in the bill.
"Without these basic public safety and homeland security safeguards, this bill is unsafe," Chief Webb said.
Despite Rep. Acevedo's claim that more drivers will become insured with his law, the bill does not require proof of insurance before an illegal immigrant can get his license. Supporters say that such a requirement is unnecessary as the law already states that drivers have to be insured to drive in the Land of Lincoln. Further a provision in the law maintains that a police officer can confiscate the license if the illegal immigrant cannot produce proof of insurance on demand.
Detractors also point out that number of insured drivers did not materially increase in Washington or Arizona after those states passed their drivers licenses for illegals bills.
. . . Read Full Story on Blogs For Borders
Tags: Illinois, drivers licenses, illegal aliens To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Posted by Bill Smith at 9:31 PM - Post Link
1 Comments:
Even supporters of licenses for illegals, I guess, would think that it was more important for our General Assembly to repair Illinois' $100 billion under-funded public pensions.
Post a Comment
<< Home