Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

A mariachi band played at a giddy rally in the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield Wednesday afternoon, as throngs of supporters celebrated the passage of the Illinois DREAM Act in the state Senate.

The bill passed the Senate by a margin of 45-11, with three senators not voting. The measure saw wide bipartisan support, with 11 Republicans supporting the bill alongside 34 Democrats.

It gets its name from a proposed piece of federal legislation which stalled in Congress during the lame-duck session this past winter. That measure would have allowed some undocumented students to move toward citizenship, provided they met certain criteria.

The state of Illinois doesn't have the authority to grant citizenship. Instead, SB 2185 would create a "DREAM Fund," a scholarship account funded entirely by private dollars, to give out scholarships to students without legal status seeking higher education. It would also encourage counselors to receive training on education opportunities for undocumented students, and would open up college savings programs and prepaid tuition programs to all Illinois residents.

Senator Tom Johnson was one of the Republicans who voted in favor of the bill. "This is an American value issue," he said to the chamber, according to observers on Twitter. Immigrant youth, Johnson said, "are our future. They are our fellow residents of Illinois."

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, or ICIRR, was one of many pro-immigrant groups that descended on Springfield for Wednesday's vote. "Perfect timing," ICIRR tweeted after the vote, "the state Cinco de Mayo celebration has started in the State Capitol." It then posted this image

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg620/sca...name=91efk.jpg

The bill will now go before the House, where powerful Democratic Speaker Mike Madigan has spoken out in favor of immigrant rights.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_857754.html

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

This is such good news! I cannot believe that the bill passed 45-11. I really hope that it passes the house. Does any one from here live in Illinois? I go to University of Illinois at Chicago, maybe we can go celebrate!

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

BIG move for Illinois. Congrats! Now let's see this happen in NYC, better yet on the federal level :)

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

They even got a better deal than us in Texas!

"....SB 2185 would create a "DREAM Fund," a scholarship account funded entirely by private dollars, to give out scholarships to students without legal status seeking higher education. "

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

This made my day!

It would also grant a driving certificate and encourage high school counselors and college admissions officers to be trained on educational opportunities for immigrant youths.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local...#ixzz1LQhqXzYS

Does that mean we can get a driver's license - or a certificate of some sort?

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

I've been asking around all day too about this too. I can't find the text of the bill anywhere!

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

..............

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Any news on the cali dream act?

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Well paper or card, I guess it doesnt matter as long as we get to drive. Are you from IL too?

One more question, what about SSN? Isn't that the first thing they ask you when getting a license? Hopefully we can get them too.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

I doubt we would get Social Security Numbers. Would be cool though...

I'm just excited for a drivers license! Driving to IIT would be a 30 minute drive instead of a 2 hour bus/train ride every day.

A scholarship would also be amazing. It feels good to live in Chicago right now.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

ohhhh and for those who want to read the text of the bill, I found it.


http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/S...2185sam001.pdf

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Congrats illinois dreamer. Hope this come true for New York Dream Act as well.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Congratulations, Illinois. Here's hoping that the rest of the states will follow along with the Dream Act. I can't believe the federal government has dropped the ball on this. Oh yeah, it's not the game they are playing, I forgot.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

College admissions counselors to be trained on educational opportunities for immigrant youths.


Wow...great news. We have definitely come a long way. Of course this still has to pass the house correct? I'm sure it will. Good luck IL Dreamers!!

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

THANK YOU!

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

This is great news! This is the only way, step by step.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Maybe I'm just missing it, but I can't find anything about driving certificates, in the text of the bill, and on Univision they just said that we'd be granted drivers licenses.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

I do not think it includes the driving certificates yet. It is nowhere in the text. I did a word search. I was reading hate comments on a site earlier and they were commenting that this version did not include them. It was just comments from conservatives though, no reliable source. I hope it does include them, that point is probably the most beneficial of all.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Let's hope we get those very important drivers certificates. Otherwise it's not that much of an advancement because being free to move around as a free and equal human being is not having to worry about whether the police stop you and arrest you because you drive with no license when you love this country much more than other us born or naturalized citizens. To us,a this is our country because don't know any other and we deserve the chance to make it in this great country of ours.

Maybe, when I am legal in this country, I will run for public office and win in state wide elections. Watch out dreamers in IL: you are looking at your future governor-senator ;)

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

The IL DREAM Act does not violate any federal law. Everything will be state based benefits and it will NOT issue social security numbers because that is a federal thing by the Social Security Administration. It will only allow us dreamies to use our ITIN to apply for college scholarships and some college savings programs.

The driver's certificate, if it is part of the passed bill, would not be equal to a regular drivers license. It would be a separate permit allowing us to move around.

It is completely constitutional. Don't worry, unlike Arizona's law, which trumps on the federal government's constitutional responsibility to control immigration.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

This ILLINOIS dream act has to be a joke. Private scholarships, and payment plans? Really? Public universities let you pay in payments already. Community colleges have a tuition payment plan too so why is the government laughing at illegals? This is a joke. The whole point for this stupid dream act was for undocumented people that go to school to get a drivers certificate. Its worthless. The most important thing about it is a drivers certificate which is not even included in this new law. Boooo. FAILURE

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

It is included.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

stop trying to fool yourself. It is not included. It is nowhere to be found in the bill and it is already confirmed that it was a recent update to the dream act of illinois. Seriously people. If you are a girl, go get married to a citizen and get legal status. Or if you are male do the same but dont do it for interest. Find the right person that both of you will love each other and at the same time you get the benefit of being legal in this country. Trust me, there will never be an immigration reform nor will undocumented youths get a federal dream act. It seems the republicans will be here for a long time so trust me, they will never approve something that will legalize everyone or the youths. Its impossible and more when you have Obama as president. If he really wanted that t happen, he would be all over the news fighting for it but he backs away because thats like turning a lot of white people aginst him and that includes most of the blacks who do not like hispanics. Obama is doing nothing nor will he show it to the americans that he wants an immigration reform. He has a lot of power and good example of it is his cabinet killing the Arizona law. His administration influenced the failure of the arizona law. Thats how much power he has. He has the power to tell america and convince most republicans to aprove it but obama like always is hiding only talking to hispanic leaders instead of talking to congress. But face it, he does not are about the immigrants. He has the power of national security and deportation are at an all time high. Kicking out innocent people. Obama only cares about our votes and thats it and thats how every president win the elections, with lies. So really, ILINOIS is not giving out a drivers certificate or else republicans would have said no in the first place. Im so pissed they did not include at least a drivers license for these innocent students.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

A part of me would really enjoy the Obama administration speaking out against the IL dream Act. Simply because it would bring the discussion back to the table and possibly push them for a nationwide solution.

but of course, Obama and his administration will not do any of that. Why? Because it would hurt them with latino voters. To the point of losing a majority of them. He needs us for 2012.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

real05, can you provide a source that says that part of the bill was removed? I find it hard to believe that news sites and local tv stations would report otherwise. The Illinois Coalition website still says that it's in the bill.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

giving out a free drivers license to illegals is too controversial. I wish they did but it is not part of the bill. Dont look at that website since thats the website that wants the dream act the most. What matters is whats in the bill and the updated bill does not have a drivers license. Red the updated bill and the benefits. Drivers certificate is not a benefit in this new bill. 100% reliable source. It was implemented on the law but the committee on tuesday took it out for a successful vote to pass on senate and house. Th websites need to update the drivers certificate area. This is really gay. I cant believe the goverment knowing how much the youths suffer, they still dont wanna give them a higher benefit like a social number or drivers license. They cant assign legal status, but im sure states can issue a social security number to work at least. Theres people in illinois as well as other states that have a social security number with their name and all legit, but they are not legal residents nor can they travel. However they can get a drivers license and apply for work. I dont know about now, but in the early 90s social security offices were corrupted and some of them issued them for $10,000 in return. This is not important though. But i wish you the best and if u guys really want legal status the only option is to marry a citizen. Within 6 months u will have ur new residency. There will not be a reform and states will certainly not isue a drivers license. Its too controversial.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Here's some questions being asked about the Illinois Dream Act SB 2185. Hope this answers to all of your questions.

http://www.stapostle.org/storage/osj...isdreamfaq.pdf

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Troll is a troll, gtfo go troll elsewhere

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

troll is a troll huh. People just cant stand the truth. My friends are illegals and obviously u are an illegal too and i just want to open your eyes. The goverment will not give benefits ever. For ignorant people like you now i see why the goverment decides to leave you guys ut all the time.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

the main point here is that if the dream act passes in house, that after that we should all pressure for a drivers license. If it works good, if not, oh well, we tried. Bertdude, u are really sensitive as you attacked me amd i can understand your frustration. Be strong and instead of being weak, stand up and fight for the drivers license once the illinois dream act gets approved.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Dude STFU. Go back to ur trailer park home.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Congrats to all Illinoian Dreamies!

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Let's just wait to see what happens on the next couple of weeks. Maybe the house version will be different.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

If you do have an opinion or constructive criticism, you're free to post. However, please refrain from using such words as "illegal." Nobody is illegal here.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

pony im with you and i hpe you get a drivers license. Happy? And 2FACE why are you guys so sensitive, OMG. Dude, im not against you guys and illegal just means someone that is here illegally. Makes perfect sense and so what? Why be ashamed? Im encouraging you guys to be stronger. You guys dont think its time for a change? Obviously illinois is sympathetic towards the undocumented but for them not to offer a drivers license is really lame. Well its very possible it will pass in the house now but why arent people pressuring to implement a drivers certificate into this law?

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

Man this is some bullshit! It seems as though real05 is right. Man... the Illinois Dream Act can eat a dick.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

stop with ur sarcasm pony. Cali approved their own without a drivers license. I dont get it. How do these ignorant senators think students will get to a university or college? Bus, train, the old fashion way? A horse? Seriously im surprised u guys see this as a victory. It still tells the undocumented that its right to g to school but its super wrong to drive to school. Does this make sense? This is y this law is not too helpful. Any opinions?

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

I was being serious actually. Unless the House version contains the key part, this thing isn't even good enough to wipe my ass with.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

really? Im still thinking ur being sarcastic. But anyway, so if the senate passes a bill and has to go to the house or vice versa. Can that bill that passed in the senate, be modified in anyway in the house of reps? Now that i clearly dont know. And if it could be modified, then why in the world is everyone celebrating when we are all still on time to pressure and try to get the drivers certificate attached to the bill before it goes on a vote to the house? Perhaps calling the newspaper and spread out the word so that everyone pressures? I dont know. All im saying is that they make fun of people by giving them a dream act that pretty much tells you to keep dreaming on wanting to drive legally. That is not being a human, the senators, gov. Imagine u finally get to pay in state tuition finally and lets say u live in chicago and want to go to UIC and you live in the suburbs. Well what if you are driving to school and all of a sudden you get pulled over without a license. What happens next? Expect to at least pay $1000 in overal fines. Get jailed and also get ur picture taken as well as your fringer prints. Wow! And if you are one of those few unlucky ones, they will call immigration and get u deported and guess what? Obama does not care. They said they only want to kick out the criminals but yet they are still deporting these innocent dreamers. OMG it gets me mad as to how ignorant the USA gov can be. Now as if you at least had a drivers certificate you would never have to pay the $1000 fine or get into the felony list, etc.. Instead, you wil show the oficer ur license if you get puled over and whala!! Yes, pay the ticket if you get one and keep on going to your destination. Im being serious right now. You see how important the drivers certificate is? Im not trolling just stating reality here. If the senators managed to pas it why cant we all as a group pressure the house to attach the drivers license? We need a leader for that to guide all the students before the vote takes place. Now i dont know if you can modify the bill now that it passed the senate but if its possible then what are we all waiting for? The drivers certificate is the most beneficial.

Re: Illinois DREAM Act Passes State Senate With Overwhelming, Bipartisan Majority
 

I agree that the driving certificate is the most beneficial thing, since it provides for finally some kind of identification. I was very happy when my finally gave me the news, but if it's indeed not true, what a bummer. We've somehow managed through a lot of effort and dedication my going to college.