Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is pleased with the State of Illinois budget announcement today. "This budget announcement shows Gov. Blagojevich's commitment to assisting the immigrant communities of Illinois quickly become full contributors to our state," said Joshua Hoyt, ICIRR Executive Director. "One in four Illinoisans is either an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. This budget recognizes that immigrants are essential to our economy and social fabric."

The Illinois Budget will include a new immigrant integration line item of $5.2 million for U.S. citizenship programs; a pilot project for the "We Want To Learn English" Initiative; the immigrant welcoming center in Melrose park; and programs to ensure that immigrant families attain proper health, well-being, and self-sufficiency.

The "We Want to learn English" Initiative is a pilot program which will be funded at the level of $250,000. "This pilot will allow us to develop a model for community based English classes, to assist immigrants advance in their careers, talk to their new neighbors, and fully participate in civic life" said Maureen Hellwig, Senior Director of Programs at Erie House. ICIRR said that they will work to increase the funding for English. "There is a strong need for more English instruction," Hellwig added. "In Illinois, we currently have 1.2 million people whose English is limited. That's not good for the immigrants themselves, or for our State."

The New Americans Initiative (NAI) citizenship program was continued with funding of $3 million. "Over 30,000 immigrants in Illinois have been directly assisted in filling out the difficult citizenship application by our New Americans Initiative," said Monika Starczuk of Albany Park Neighborhood Council. "This initiative of Governor Blagojevich enjoys almost unanimous bi-partisan support because it helps newcomers take the important step of learning English and assuming their full rights and responsibilities as American citizens."

The new immigrant integration line item is a result of the partnership of the Governor's Office for New Americans Policy and Advocacy and the Illinois Department of Human Services with immigrant leaders from across the state. "We commend Jose Luis Gutierrez of the Governor's Office, and Secretary Carol Adams and Assistant Secretary Grace Hou