Governor Blagojevich appoints Director of the Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy

CHICAGO - Continuing his efforts to help integrate newcomers into the American mainstream, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today appointed Mexican-American resident Jose Luis Gutierrez as his new Director of the Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy. The Office is a key component of the Governor's "New Americans Executive Order," an initiative launched last November that made Illinois the first state in the nation to integrate efforts from state agencies, community organizations, private funders and experts to address the needs and challenges of the state's growing immigrant population.

 

"Like thousands of immigrants across Illinois, Jose Luis came here to work hard and realize a dream. When he first moved into the area twenty years ago, he had nothing but the clothes on his back, a few dollars in his pocket and was not even able to speak the language. But he worked hard, went to college, raised a family and succeeded as an educator, businessman and community leader," said Gov. Blagojevich. "Jose Luis embodies what immigrants can do when given the opportunities, and I know he will provide the leadership the Office of New Americans needs to work with our partners and make Illinois a leader in the nation when it comes to helping immigrant families achieve the American Dream."

 

At a time of historic immigration debate across the nation, the Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy will move Illinois forwards in regards to better helping immigrants assimilate to their host communities, by working with an advisory group comprised of national and state experts to analyze changes in federal immigration law, and make specific recommendations on issues of citizenship, human services, healthcare and education.

 

 

Gutierrez, a native of the Western Mexican state of Michoacan, came to the United States in 1986 and settled in the Chicago area. He started working at La Guadalupana tamal factory and through hard work was able to move up, get a Masters degree in Urban Teaching from Columbia College, and worked for many years as a Spanish teacher while becoming intensely involved in his community.

 

His trajectory in Chicago's immigrant community include having been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Instituto del Progreso Latino, President of the Hometown Federation of Michoacanos, founding member of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities, and former member of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad. Before being appointed by Gov. Blagojevich, Gutierrez worked as General Manager for Castro Corporation, a leading manufacturer of a diverse line of Mexican products.

 

Esther Lopez, the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Labor and Financial and Professional Regulations announced the appointment on behalf of Governor Blagojevich during a press conference held today at the Chicago headquarters of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a key partner of the State of Illinois in the implementation of the New Americans Executive Order.

 

"Governor Blagojevich has shown the vision to create smart and creative policies. Jose Luis will make sure that these ideas are not just ‘pie in the sky.' They will be policy changes that affect real people," said Joshua Hoyt, ICIRR's Executive Director.

 

Besides the Governor's Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy, the Executive Order created three additional entities:

 

·                                The New Americans Immigrant Policy Council, mandated to consult with immigrant leaders, state governmental leaders, and national policy experts to recommend strategic directions on key issues. The Policy Council is comprised of 15 prominent Illinois business, faith, labor, community, and philanthropic leaders with experience in this field.

 

·                                A public-private State Task Force, designed to examine - department-by-department - how state government can address the rapidly changing population of the state.

 

·                                A National Advisory Council to help guide the work of the New Americans Executive Order Policy Project. The Council consists of prominent national academics, business leaders, advocates and governmental practitioners who lend their vision to the project and share the project's recommendations through their national networks.

 

"We look forward to work closely with the Office of New Americans to develop policies and programs that will benefit the State of Illinois and its immigrant residents. This public-private partnership is crucial to the successful integration of immigrants living in urban and suburban communities," said Ngoan Le, Senior Program Officer for the Chicago Community Trust and Co-Chair of the New Americans Immigrant Policy Council.

 

The state's new policy has won major support from leading foundations and national organizations focused on immigrant issues. In Chicago, a two-year, $250,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is providing major support for this work, with additional $50,000 support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

 

At a time when one in five people in Illinois are either immigrants or the children of immigrants, the Governor's announcement is a continuation of policies supported and developed by the Governor in cooperation with the ICIRR, a broad-based organization dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refuges to full and equal participation in our diverse society.

 

Juan Salgado, President of the ICIRR, Executive Director of the Instituto del Progreso Latino, and Co-Chair of the New Americans Immigrant Policy Council said Jose Luis Gutierrez "will be the voice we need for the immigrant community in the Governor's Office. He has the experience and leadership skills needed to continue making Illinois the most immigrant-friendly state in the nation."

 

Since 2003, Governor Blagojevich has taken several executive and legislative steps to protect immigrants and help them be successful, including:

 

·                    Launching the All Kids program that makes Illinois the first state in the nation to provide comprehensive, affordable health insurance to all of the state's uninsured children.

 

·                    Signing into law a bill that makes Illinois the most aggressive state in the nation in regards to protecting day laborers and going after unlawful day and temporary labor agencies that cheat workers of their hard-earned pay and leave them unprotected at work. The Governor has also announced a number of measures to significantly bring down the number of Latino workers suffering injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

 

·                    Launching the New Americans Initiative aimed at helping thousands of eligible permanent residents become naturalized U.S. citizens. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is administering the Initiative, a $3-million-a-year partnership with the state.

 

·                    Signing legislation that recognizes consular I.D. cards as valid forms of identification in Illinois, similar to a Secretary of State-issued state I.D.

 

·                    Signing into law a bill that allows for undocumented immigrants to attend public universities in Illinois paying in-state tuition rates.

 

·                    Ordering the State Board of Education to make sure the children of undocumented immigrants get access to state-funded preschools.