Senate to Vote on Illinois DREAM Act
Hundreds of students and activists from the Chicago area head to Springfield Wednesday to rally support for two immigration bills.
The Senate could vote Wednesday on the Illinois Dream Act, which unanimously passed the Senate Executive Committee on Tuesday.
"It's a great step forward," said Joshua Hoyt to NBC Chicago's sister station, Telemundo Chicago. Hoyt is the executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee rights.
The Illinois Dream Act, sponsored by state Senate President John Cullerton, would make scholarships available to undocumented students through an Illinois Dream Fund that is privately funded. It would also grant a driving certificate and encourage high school counselors and college admissions officers to be trained on educational opportunities for immigrant youths.
Nearly 90,000 students in the state would benefit from the Dream Act, according to ICIRR.
"If it passes, I think it's going to send a strong message to the rest of the nation that the undocumented youth, who work so hard in this country, deserve a path to legalization," Hoyt said.
The House is expected to vote on another immigration bill called the Smart Enforcement Act later Wednesday.
The Smart Enforcement Act would allow counties to decide whether or not to be a part of the "Secure Communities" federal program, and require that the program only be used for immigrants with criminal convictions.
About 500 supporters, including immigrant leaders and undocumented students, will arrive at the State Capitol around 10 a.m. to urge legislators to vote yes on both bills.