The following responses can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, ACLU of Illinois:
Automatic Voter Registration
“Today is a victory for access to the vote in Illinois. In the face of national attempts to limit voting rights, we are proud that Illinois is giving its residents more comprehensive access to participate in that most fundamental of democratic practices – voting. Across the country, we are seeing the proof that this policy works - it boosts registration rates, makes voting more convenient, improves voter roll accuracy, and saves taxpayer dollars.
This was truly a bipartisan effort in both the Illinois House and Senate. We thank Governor Rauner and the bill sponsors - Rep. Robyn Gabel and Sen. Andy Manar - for their vision and leadership. We also thank the Just Democracy Coalition for all of their hard work and leadership that made this a reality.”
Illinois TRUST Act
“In a moment when immigrants and refugees in our nation are under siege from the reckless policies of the Trump Administration, the Illinois TRUST Act is the right way forward. The measure signed today prevents law enforcement officers from holding people for immigration purposes without a warrant, as well as barring police from stopping, searching or arresting anyone based on their immigration or citizenship status.
Now immigrant and refugee residents can feel confident that calling 911 will not result in deportation. Law enforcement officers can now better engage and work within their own communities, rather than feel like they are working against it.
We applaud the work of our fellow members in the Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois and the leadership of ICIRR, PASO and AAAJ for their tireless work in getting this legislation signed. Thank you to Governor Rauner, Senate President John Cullerton and the many co-sponsors in the House and Senate for their courage to stand up for what is right.”
