SPRINGFIELD — By signing SB 20 today, Gov. Bruce Rauner advanced his administration’s effort to professionalize the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
The signing was a show of good faith to the aggrieved parties, business respondents, pro se parties, attorneys of record and others harmed by years-long delay in resolving discrimination complaints. The governor called for a collaborative effort to ensure that the legislation is fully implemented in conjunction with the mandates of his Executive Order 2018-08.
Rauner also signed two immigration bills into law.
SB 3109 will principally benefit DACA immigrants. It provides that neither the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation nor the Illinois State Board of Education shall deny a license, certificate, permit, or registration based solely on an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status.
In signing the legislation, Rauner noted that citizenship and immigration status are not relevant in considering professional qualifications. Rauner signed similar legislation in 2015 for law licenses.
The governor also signed SB 3488 barring state and local agencies from creating or participating in the creation of unconstitutional or illegal registries, i.e. those that are based solely on classifications protected by our human rights law, including religion or national origin.
The laws he signed align with the Governor’s belief that the nation and the state of Illinois should be immigrant-friendly within the bounds of federal immigration law. No state law should require, authorize, or encourage resistance to or evasion of federal agencies’ lawful efforts to enforce federal statutes.
Speak Your Mind
You must be logged in to post a comment.