Nearly 95,000 undocumented students in the state of Illinois await Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature in a bill that would facilitate higher education and access to state loans.
On Monday, the state’s house approved by a vote of 61 to 53 the SB-2185 legislative initiative, known as the Illinois DREAM Act. If approved, the measure would be the first of its kind in the country’s history.
The measure would create a fund established through private donations and managed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to provide financial assistance to undocumented students in Illinois. The bill would also allow families of the students to participate in the state’s two college tuition savings programs.
The bill also contains provisions to train high school counselors to help undocumented students find ways to pay for their education.Sponsoring Rep. Edward Acevedo, assured his colleagues that the legislation will not cost the state a dime.
“The Illinois Dream Act would be funded entirely, entirely with private contributions, and would cost taxpayers nothing,” Acevedo said during debate on the legislation.
However, several opponents say is improper to provide benefits to people who have broken U.S. immigration laws. Moreover, they have complained it’s confusing because of a proposed federal legislation by the same name that would give some illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
Quinn said through a press release that he’s “looking forward to signing it”. “I believe everyone has the right to a first-class education, and the Illinois DREAM Act strengthens Illinois’ commitment to ensuring education for all” .
In order to qualify students must have at least one immigrant parent and have attended school in Illinois for at least three years