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View from QCA: Licenses for undocumented immigrants wrongheaded
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I write in strong opposition to your Jan. 11 editorial supporting the issuance of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants (SB 957). I cannot imagine a more wrongheaded piece of legislation that runs counter to any kind of common sense. There are an estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois who would be able to qualify for these licenses. If you are here illegally, and are caught being here illegally, why would we grant you the privilege of driving on our roads? If Illinois becomes a safe haven for illegal behavior, won't we attract more people who will break our laws if they know the laws will not be enforced? Having more people on the roads who are not concerned with legal behavior will make our roads more unsafe. But don't just take my word for it. According Greg Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois Sheriff's Association, only three of the state's 102 Sheriffs support SB 957. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is against the bill, in part because there are no requirements of fingerprinting, or checking Federal Tax ID numbers, two safeguards required under the Homeland Security Act to combat terrorism. There is a false premise made by some that our roads will be safer because this bill might get illegal immigrants to carry insurance. Common sense tells me that our roads will be safer if strict enforcement of being properly licensed and insured is enforced. This way illegals may do one of three things that would improve road safety in Illinois: -- Become legal citizens and follow our laws -- Use public transportation and get rides from legal drivers -- Leave Illinois and go to a state or country that allows lawless behavior Only two other states license illegal immigrants to drive. One, New Mexico, is looking to repeal the law at the urging of Gov. Susana Martinez who has said that her state has become a "magnet" for illegal immigrants since the law was passed and has been a net negative for the state. Another state, Utah, abandoned its program for licensing illegal immigrants as it proved to be rife with fraud and abuse. A spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White said that the program would have an initial price tag of $800,000 to set up, and $250,000 a year to maintain. Considering the cost to society already incurred by illegal immigration on our schools and social welfare programs, can we afford to pay any more? Thank you to Quad-Cities area Reps. Don Moffitt, Rich Morthland and Pat Verschoore, and Sens. Tim Bivins and Darin LaHood for opposing this bill. Sadly, Sen. Mike Jacobs added his vote to Chicago majority leader John Cullerton's bill. This legislation did not represent the rule of law, nor common sense. But it sure showed which representatives and senators will do anything to pander for a special interest vote, and be swayed by a loud, angry, and lawless mob demanding special rights. Jon A. Zahm lives in Osco. 
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Colona, IL Details |
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Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood.
1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.
(More History)