Emanuel And Quinn Endorse Plan To Allow Undocumented Immigrants To Obtain Drivers Licenses
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Nov 21, 2012 9:40PM
Gov. Pat Quinn and Senate Pres. John Cullerton announced support for an initiative to provide undocumented immigrants with a path to apply for drivers licenses. Cullerton announced at a press conference Tuesday joined by Republican former governors Jim Edgar and James Thompson, GOP state comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and state Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago).
Separately on Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his support for the initiative in a press release from the mayor's office:
“I strongly support state legislation that will allow every Chicagoan, regardless of legal status, to enjoy the rights and responsibilities that come with a driver’s license,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I commend Senate President John Cullerton for his leadership to introduce legislation during the 2012 veto session to require all Illinois drivers, including undocumented drivers, to get trained, licensed and insured. I will be a strong advocate for this bill as we work to make Chicago the most immigrant-friendly city in the country.”
Last week, 28 Chicago aldermen signed a resolution urging the General Assembly to "extend driving privileges to 250,000 undocumented immigrants."
According to Cullerton’s office, there are 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Illinois that contribute toward $660 million in insurance claim costs. They said 42 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois involve unlicensed drivers.
A proposal to provide undocumented immigrants with a path to obtaining a drivers license narrowly passed the state House in 2007, but it failed to even come to a vote in the state Senate.
While the legislative fight over pensions and budgets continue, Illinois politicians have once again managed to find something on which they can agree. Just last week lawmakers including the Governor and Mayor called for legalizing gay marriage in Illinois. Soon, though, we suspect Quinn and Emanuel will return to bickering over casinos and other issues.
A press release from the governor's office reads:
“This is a safety issue that impacts every driver in Illinois and we should join together to take swift action to save lives,” Governor Quinn said. “Making sure all motorists, regardless of their background, are licensed and insured will drive economic growth and ease the financial burden on all Illinois motorists.”“I’m honored to work with the Illinois Highway Safety Coalition to introduce legislation to improve the safety of our roads and highways by ensuring all Illinois drivers are trained, tested, licensed and insured," said President Cullerton.