093_SB0680enr

 
SB680 Enrolled                       LRB093 10747 RCE 11140 b

 1        AN ACT concerning immigrant assistance.

 2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:

 4        Section 5. The Attorney General Act is amended by  adding
 5    Section 6.6 as follows:

 6        (15 ILCS 205/6.6 new)
 7        Sec. 6.6. Immigrant Assistance Program.
 8        (a)  Purpose  and policy. The immigrant population of the
 9    State of Illinois constitutes a significant  portion  of  the
10    population  of  the  State.  These  immigrants  often require
11    assistance in order to  obtain  the  government  services  to
12    which  they are entitled under the law. It is imperative that
13    State government  is  aware  of  the  needs  of  the  State's
14    immigrant  community  and  sensitive to the barriers that may
15    prevent them from seeking and obtaining services. The  Office
16    of   the  Attorney  General  should  be  equipped  to  assist
17    immigrants by increasing  accessibility  to  the  Office  and
18    providing  outreach  services  to  the  community, which will
19    serve  to  educate  immigrants  as  to   their   rights   and
20    responsibilities as residents of the State.
21        (b)  Immigrant  Assistance  Program. Within the Office of
22    the Attorney General, there shall be established an Immigrant
23    Assistance  Program,  which  shall  be   charged   with   the
24    responsibility   of   assessing  the  needs  of  the  State's
25    immigrant community with regard to access to  government  and
26    other services. In addition, the Immigrant Assistance Program
27    shall be empowered to provide education and outreach services
28    to  the  immigrant community of the State, subject to funding
29    availability. These services may include, but are not limited
30    to, consumer issues, civil rights  issues,  employee  rights,
31    and  other  issues  of  particular  interest to the immigrant
 
SB680 Enrolled             -2-       LRB093 10747 RCE 11140 b
 1    communities in the State.

 2        Section 99.  Effective date. This Act takes  effect  upon
 3    becoming law.