Illinois, already a sanctuary state for illegal aliens, now wants to offer driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. A coalition of Illinois Democrats, Republicans, and illegal alien advocates are pushing the Legislature to pass a new driver’s licenses bill during its lame duck session.
The cash strapped state, which in recent years has raised taxes on individuals and businesses and cut services and benefits for legal residents, wants to expand the temporary driver’s license available to legal foreign nationals to illegal aliens. Supporters claim the license could not be used as valid identification and will help make Illinois roads safer by requiring illegal aliens to get insurance while also raising revenue for the state.
Of course, it defies common sense to argue that illegal aliens, having disregarded so many other laws, would obey the state’s car insurance requirement.
None of the bill’s supporters acknowledge the costs of allowing illegal aliens to continue to live, work, and travel freely in the state. With an unemployment rate above the national average at 8.8 percent, Illinois can ill afford to attract further illegal immigration to undercut legal workers and hand out valuable resources and services, including in-state tuition benefits and health care, to illegal aliens that should be reserved for legal residents.
It is no surprise that former Obama aide and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is an ardent supporter of the move. And, like national Republicans, Illinois Republicans have bought into the myth that supporting additional benefits for illegal aliens will win them the Hispanic vote. The last Illinois Governor not to be incarcerated, Republican Jim Edgar, says giving driver’s licenses to illegal aliens is “politically smart.”
Senate President, Democrat John Cullerton, thinks he has the votes to get a driver’s license bill through his chamber as early as this week. The position of Republican legislative leaders remains unknown. Meanwhile, Republican New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez is actively trying to end her state’s practice of issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, citing national security concerns.
6 Comments
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The reasons that are given to justify this are pretty flimsy. The first reason cited spoke of insurance and safety. Illegal aliens can purchase insurance for their vehicles already, apparantly having a drivers license is NOT REQUIRED for that transaction according to one illegal alien on this site. How many illegal aliens are currently responsible and purchasing insurance now?
The second reason cited was that it would raise revenue. The cost of illegals to the state of IL overwhelms any revenue they would raise through drivers licenses. I call BS.
Dear Kristen,
On a very respectful manner, I would like to address the comments that I list as followed.
I am illegal alien and had my Driver License expired back in 2010. As you may know I haven’t been able to renew it because the law doesn’t allow me to do so, but I’m still paying my insurance since the first day I bought my first vehicle. As part of my responsibilities, I got charged and pay on monthly basis premium insurance. The insurance company doesn’t make any difference on your “legal or illegal status”. Hopefully they don’t change that.
I’ve been a taxpayer since 2002 and have documents to prove it. I have my Childs on a private school so the state doesn’t have to point me as another expense for them. Every time that a member of my family got sick, I had to paid in full large amount of money due to a lack of insurance coverage. Some times even for a simple respiratory infection our invoice goes over $3000.
I agree that rules are to be followed, and the laws to be obey in this country, but the system has excluded us from many benefits that I agree also we should not take any advantage of it. There is a big difference between “NOT WANT TO” than “NOT BING ABLE TO”.
My wife just acquired her citizenship and I am in the process to apply for a residence. Once I have that accomplished I will be ready to be someone like you playing under the same rules and regulations. I am more than willing to be part of every system established on this great nation, just need an opportunity so I can be able to demonstrate it.
Rgds.
If You Want to Drive a Car Legally
Go back home to your motherland, if its Mexico, its unemployment rate is FAR lower than America’s.
What an ignorant comment… people should be banned on the internet with this way of thinking…
God bless their souls…remember we all Humans..no matter were we come from..but the best
citizens are always the immigrants the came from other countries to give better opportunities to their generations to come, as people like Sofwarengineer..there is always a reason on every individual on why they come here and leave all behind in Mexico,Central and South America,Europe,Africa, or Asia….and they become the best citizens that any other country will want…
this way of thinking is why we are dislike in other countries nowadays… Arrogance is the worst way of settling a problem…
God be with you all…
That’s All America Needs
Used car prices are through the roof due to excess demand when we can’t afford new cars near as much anymore [I imagine the new car loans are requiring stellar credit ratings lately too, due to mass repossesions hurting profits in the past too] and the stock is WAY DEPLETED.
IAs grabbing ’em up now too, to add to the used car inventory shortages.