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Immigrants, civil rights and religious leaders are celebrating and giving thanks today to legislators for rejecting anti-immigrant legislation like Arizona-like bills. 

At Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington, at 11:00 a.m. today, religious and civil rights leaders will join Latino, Asian and other immigrant groups to thank key state legislators for their role preventing anti-immigrant bills to pass in the State Legislature. 

“By blocking these hate bills we are affirming that Illinois is home,” said State Representative Greg Harris (D-13). “We are showing that our state is more welcoming than our neighboring states and is definitely not Arizona.” 

While other states struggle to prevent hateful bills to become law, Illinois’ state legislature is rejecting attacks against immigrants by saying no to more than 10 anti-immigrant bills.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has played a key role working with state legislators to prevent the passage of any measures that could harm immigrants and the state as a whole. Together they are working to advance legislation that will foster integration and provide opportunities for all of those who work hard to make Illinois a better state.  Excepted in attendance are:

  * State Rep. and Chair of the Human Services Committee Greg Harris (D-13)
  *  Members of the Latino Caucus including State Representative Lisa Hernandez (D-24)
  * ICIRR Deputy Director Lawrence Benito
  * ICIRR Board member and Executive Director of Instituto del Progreso Latino Juan Salgado
  * Representatives of
      o Arise Chicago
      o Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
      o Equality Illinois
      o Jewish Council of Urban Affairs (JCUA)
      o Father Larry Dowling, member of Priests for Justice for Immigrants
      o Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC)
      o Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago)
      o Shriver Center
      o Billy Lawless, president of the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform
      o United African Organization (UAO).