August 24, 2018

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois Senate,

100th General Assembly:

Today I veto Senate Bill 35 from the 100th General Assembly, which would require the Illinois Attorney General to publish model policies for limiting assistance to federal immigration officers by quasi-government entities such as public schools and libraries.

The bill directs the Attorney General to give guidance with the purpose of limiting cooperation with authorities “to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and State law.” The bill would also require removal of immigration status as a factor in granting public school or college assistance, and removal of any questions about immigration status in applications for state benefits, opportunities, or services, except as required by law.

Federal law (8 U.S. Code § 1373) prohibits any person or government entity from restricting in any way any government entity or official from sending to the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual, requesting or receiving such information, or exchanging such information with any other government entity.

It is the policy of this administration to comply with both the letter and spirit of that law, and this legislation demonstrates an intent to undermine the spirit of federal immigration law by guiding and encouraging government entities to restrict assistance to federal authorities.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 35, entitled “AN ACT concerning government,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR