Quinn to Sign Illinois DREAM Act into Law Today

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 1, 2011 1:30PM

All eyes will be on Pilsen today as Gov. Quinn will sign the Illinois DREAM Act into law at 10 a.m. at Benito Juarez high school. Mayor Emanuel will also be in attendance, according to the public schedule from his press office.

The Illinois DREAM Act would establish a scholarship funded by private dollars to mete out money to undocumented students via a panel, helping them to obtain an education they might not otherwise be able to afford. In order to qualify for the scholarship fund, a student must be between the ages of 18 - 29, have at least one immigrant parent and have attended an Illinois school for at least three years.

The DREAM Act passed the state Senate in May, with 34 Democrats and 11 Republicans supporting the measure. Supporters of the bill say the bill will give undocumented students an opportunity to afford college. Opponents of the bill say it rewards people who violate immigration laws. The decision to have the signing at Juarez, in the predominantly Mexican American Pilsen neighborhood, is a no-brainer decision from a political standpoint.