093_SB0680ham001











                                     LRB093 10747 RCE 15390 a

 1                    AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 680

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend Senate Bill 680 on page 1,  by
 3    replacing lines 7 through 23 with the following:

 4        "Sec. 6.6. Immigrant Assistance Program.
 5        (a)  Purpose  and policy. The immigrant population of the
 6    State of Illinois constitutes a significant  portion  of  the
 7    population  of  the  State.  These  immigrants  often require
 8    assistance in order to  obtain  the  government  services  to
 9    which  they are entitled under the law. It is imperative that
10    State government  is  aware  of  the  needs  of  the  State's
11    immigrant  community  and  sensitive to the barriers that may
12    prevent them from seeking and obtaining services. The  Office
13    of   the  Attorney  General  should  be  equipped  to  assist
14    immigrants by increasing  accessibility  to  the  Office  and
15    providing  outreach  services  to  the  community, which will
16    serve  to  educate  immigrants  as  to   their   rights   and
17    responsibilities as residents of the State.
18        (b)  Immigrant  Assistance  Program. Within the Office of
19    the Attorney General, there shall be established an Immigrant
20    Assistance  Program,  which  shall  be   charged   with   the
21    responsibility   of   assessing  the  needs  of  the  State's
22    immigrant community with regard to access to  government  and
23    other services. In addition, the Immigrant Assistance Program
 
                            -2-      LRB093 10747 RCE 15390 a
 1    shall be empowered to provide education and outreach services
 2    to  the  immigrant community of the State, subject to funding
 3    availability. These services may include, but are not limited
 4    to, consumer issues, civil rights  issues,  employee  rights,
 5    and  other  issues  of  particular  interest to the immigrant
 6    communities in the State.".