Immigrant license bill to motor on
By Daniel Duggan
STAFF WRITER
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a controversial bill to give driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.
The measure could become a tough political issue for two of Elgin's Republican legislators.
Despite being able to make several key changes to the bill, Sen. Steve Rauschenberger and Rep. Ruth Munson have not said whether they will support the bill. Both opposed it in November.
At issue is whether to give driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. The idea has been to provide identification for immigrants while also forcing them to take driver's-education courses and get insurance for their cars.
Opponents say the measure devalues the privileges given to citizens, leaving immigrants less reason to seek legal status.
Supporters say insurance rates have been increasing because many uninsured immigrants are driving and getting into accidents, leaving insurance companies on the hook.
No luck on first try
The measure was brought to the Illinois Senate floor in November but was one vote shy of passing.
In the aftermath of the bill's defeat, Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, sought the input of Republicans in hopes of crafting a bill that would pass.
Included in the new bill are nearly all the changes issued by the newly created Immigrant Task Force — on which Rauschenberger and Munson are the highest-ranking Republicans.
"I'm pleased that the immigrant advocacy community has realized that changes need to be made to this bill," Rauschenberger said. "And they responded to almost all of our concerns."
Under the new bill, those seeking special driver's licenses would have to submit digital fingerprints and a photograph to the Illinois State Police or the FBI to verify whether or not they have any outstanding warrants.
The bill ensures that there would be visible differences between the licenses for immigrants and the licenses for citizens, so the two would not be confused, and the bill also would prevent people from using the licenses to obtain a firearm owner's identification card or to register to vote.
To help buffer the cost of administering the program, there would be an added fee for those trying to get the licenses.
In addition, immigrants seeking the licenses would have to show proof that they have insurance for their cars and would be required to file an affidavit stating that they are in the process of becoming permanent residents of the United States.
No clear stance yet
Still, Rauschenberger isn't ready to say he's supporting the bill. Whether the fees written into the bill will bring enough revenue to pay for the program is an issue, he said.
But because his task force's concerns were adopted in the new bill, he said it will be difficult to oppose it.
"It's harder to give it a quick 'no,' " Rauschenberger said. "As a negotiator, you have to be reasonable . . . I'm willing to take a look at it."
Rauschenberger won't have to deal with the issue for a while, however, as it has not been set for a vote in the Senate yet. The measure is expected to come to a vote in the House today.
Munson was contacted Tuesday but was not ready to discuss whether she will support the new bill.
"I want to hear the debate on the issue first," she said.
Likewise, State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, also is still making up her mind, according to her spokeswoman, Liz Moe.
"She's still wavering on it," Moe said. "She's gotten a lot of feedback from the community on both sides. "She'll probably be deciding until the last minute."
Staff writer Mary Ellen Moore contributed to this report.
03/31/04
suburbanchicagonews.com
steve |
