McHenry Times

Allen Skillicorn, the Republican candidate in Illinois House District 66, which covers Algonquin, recently criticized two controversial bills that would permit individuals who are not U.S. citizens to enjoy a wide variety of benefits at state public universities.

SB 2204 - bicamerally sponsored by state Sen. Iris Martinez (D-20th) and Reps. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-24th), Carol Ammons (D-103rd) and Kathleen Willis (D-77th) - allows noncitizens to act as student trustees and sit on college boards on the principle that anyone who is a U.S. resident should be eligible.

Moreover, SB 2196, with a full slate of additional and alternate co-sponsors, gives illegal immigrant students at Illinois universities access to state funded grants, assistance, tuition waivers and certain scholarships. Both measures were first filed in late 2015 and acted on last week.

 "This is an end run around federal law, and a fiscally irresponsible one at that,” Skillicorn said. “Many of these students are here at no fault of their own but still not eligible for work permits, green cards or paying income taxes. Even with a college education, these students cannot legally work in the United States.”

 In examining the SB 2196 proposal, the Senate committee added that the law should apply only to students meeting Illinois residency requirements but who are not necessarily U.S. permanent residents or citizens. Additionally, it stipulated a set of eight notes contained within an amendment clarifying the legislation’s reach - including any impacts on judicial, correctional, housing and land conveyance, pension, debt and other financial areas.

“They are being used as pawns by Illinois politicians,” Skillicorn said. “I recommend focusing a little more on balancing the budget, not these non-budget items."