The Catholic Conference of Illinois has welcomed the legislative passage of a measure permitting immigrants who are not present in the United States legally to apply for temporary driver’s licenses.
The House passed SB 957 on a 65-46 vote. The Senate previously passed the legislation, so the measure now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will sign it into law.
Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Robert Gilligan said the legislation provides an important safeguard for immigrant families. He noted that many immigrant parents are separated from their children when stopped for a minor traffic violation. Unable to produce a license, they are then deported.
“Too many of our immigrant families have been torn apart by the simple act of driving,” Gilligan said. “What hurts one family hurts our entire community, for the family is the building block of society.”
