Proposed Bill Would Soon Make Illinois a ‘Sanctuary State’

If you're reading this in hopes of getting my opinion on illegal immigration or the travel ban, please move on; we aren't a politically motivated station and I find it's best to keep a lot of my political opinions to myself and with like minded individuals.

I would, however, like to bring this to your attention as a way of getting a better understanding of what this story means.

According to WTVO, there's a proposed bill that will be discussed among Illinois lawmakers today that would make the Land of Lincoln a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants; but what does that even mean?

Honestly, I didn't really know. I know "sanctuary" means a safe place and that's it; but's there's so much more to it that I never realized. That's when I did some digging because sometimes you just need to explain things to me like I'm five.

Here's what would happen. If this bill gets passed, there would be a creation of "safe zones" throughout the state that would protect illegal immigrants. Those zones would include things like hospitals, churches and schools; and under the proposed law "police will not be forced to cooperate or communicate with federal immigration authorities."

Basically, what this means is that illegal immigrants can attend these schools, become members of these churches and get treated at hospitals with no questions asked; raising concerns that should school officials, medical staff and clergy take in these citizens in need, they could lose federal funding because of President Trump's executive order that allows local law enforcement to apprehend and detain immigrants in the country illegally.

State Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) is opposed to the legislation, adding that "We're kind of playing a dangerous game. He (President Trump) is doing absolutely everything he said he was going to do."

WTVO shared a copy of the bill, which I've provided for you below:

HB0426 IMMIGRATION SAFE ZONES
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Immigration Safe Zones Act. Provides that schools, medical treatment and health care facilities, and places of worship may not grant access to State and local law enforcement agencies that have entered into an agreement with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or undertake other joint efforts with federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for violation of federal immigration law, unless a court has issued a warrant and appropriate personnel have reviewed that warrant and have consented to access or unless required by law and appropriate personnel have consented. Prohibits employees of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education from asking about a student's immigration status or that of the student's family members, with exceptions. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide training or make training available to teachers, administrators, and other staff of elementary and secondary schools, as well as to medical treatment and health care facilities, on how to deal with immigration issues and how to notify families of those issues in multiple languages. Requires appropriate personnel of a facility to develop a plan to provide assistance, information, and safety to persons who are concerned about the government's immigration enforcement efforts. Provides for the removal of certain file information by State agencies, public schools, and public institutions of higher education. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.
House Sponsors
Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch - Ann M. Williams - Elizabeth Hernandez, Kathleen Willis, Gregory Harris, Thaddeus Jones, Silvana Tabares, Kelly M. Cassidy and Theresa Mah.

It raises your eyebrows and makes you think a bit doesn't it?