Supporters of HB 246 Will Come Together to Call for Illinois to Become a Sanctuary State

SPRINGFIELD, IL [February 24, 2017] – Supporters of Illinois becoming a Sanctuary State will rally on Saturday February 25 at 11:30 am. The supporters will meet at the Old State Capitol Plaza at 5th and Adams before marching to Second and Capitol to rally in support of HB 246. The action has been organized in part by or with the support of the following groups: Springfield Stands United, Amnesty International, Black Lives Matter Springfield, the Sangamo Valley Green Party, the Sangamon Valley Socialist Party, and Speaking Truth to Power.

### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ###
February 24, 2017

Sangamo Valley Green Party
https://www.facebook.com/SangamoGreens/

Contact:
415-868-3476, [email protected]
@SangamoGreens

"In the face of a continued policy of mass deportation under the Trump administration, it is time for Illinois to take a stand and send a clear message that Illinois is a safe place for all to live," said Chris Blankenhorn, National Co-Chair of the Green Party of the United States. "People searching for a better life deserve a home safe from fear of night raids and detention centers, no matter their legal status."

"The estimated 290,000 undocumented workers in Illinois are an economic asset to our state. They are also our friends, neighbors and vulnerable community members. We do ourselves a grave disservice when we choose to terrorize them by threatening deportations and separating families. Illinois does not need more people leaving our state. Instead, we should be working to find ways to repair the flawed policies that caused them to be undocumented in the first place," said Jacob McCulley, local resident and organizer.

Supporters will rally across the street from the capitol complex where opponents of the bill will be meeting.

HB 246 would:

Allow schools, medical treatment and health care facilities, plus places of worship to be protected from state and local law enforcement agencies that have entered into an agreement with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or undertake other joint efforts with federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for violation of federal immigration law.

Prohibit employees of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education from asking about a student's immigration status or that of the student's family members.

Require the Department of Human Services to provide training or make training available to teachers, administrators, and other staff of elementary and secondary schools, as well as to medical treatment and health care facilities, on how to deal with immigration issues and how to notify families of those issues in multiple languages.

Require appropriate personnel of a facility to develop a plan to provide assistance, information, and safety to persons who are concerned about the government's immigration enforcement efforts.

Provide for the removal of certain file information by State agencies, public schools, and public institutions of higher education.