SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — While Iowa just wrapped up their caucuses, Illinois lawmakers returned to work at the capitol.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 marked the first day of the spring legislature session. While mostly procedural, discussion already surfaced on the topics of migrants coming into the state.
Migrants coming to Illinois
"My friends, this needs to stop. My question is, when will we get cold feet and stop spending money that our citizens don't expect us to?" State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R — Lake Barrington) said.
Last week, the state of Illinois helped open the Little Village migrant shelter in Chicago, which can house 220 people.
Its development was part of Gov. JB Pritzker's investment of $160 million through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to support over 34,000 migrants.
"This new location will offer dignity and respite to asylum seekers who have traveled thousands of miles to find safety," Pritzker said.
Back to Jan. 16, State Sen. Andrew Chesney (R — Freeport) said migrants shouldn't have access to Medicaid and public defenders.
"Gov. Pritzker and his allies in the General Assembly, [Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson], have rolled out the red carpet for the migrants, and so it's no surprise that a destination like Illinois would be of interested to them," Sen. Chesney said.
Just last month, State Rep. Tony McCombie (R — Savanna) and State Sen. Mike Halpin (D — Rock Island) talked about several priorities for this legislative session which included the state budget, education and public safety.
Underground Railroad Task Force
Jan. 16 also marked the first meeting for a new state task force, with support from both sides of the aisle in Springfield.
The task force is focused on developing plans that preserve the state's history of the Underground Railroad.
"This is an opportunity to tell the complete and authentic story of the Underground Railroad and Illinois' contribution to this important piece of history. So we would be looking at not only the conductors, but also those Freedom Fighters that were coming along on the railroads," State Sen. Doris Turner (D — Springfield) said.
The task force is working with the Illinois State Museum and five experts on Illinois history to create more education and tourism opportunities in the state. It expects to deliver findings to the General Assembly by July 2024.