FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 31, 2025
CONTACT:
Graciela González
Director of Communications
ggonzalez@latinopolicyforum.org
312-728-4291
SPRINGFIELD — Today, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 1312, an omnibus bill of protections for immigrants and their families in light of aggressive and unlawful immigration enforcement. The Latino Policy Forum applauded the passage of the bill, which includes key provisions that protect immigrants and Latinos from harassment, discrimination, and unlawful detention at early childhood education facilities, public colleges and universities and state courthouses.
“Fear should not dictate if we can pursue higher education, take our children to childcare or preschool, or access justice, said Latino Policy Forum President and CEO, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero. “It is inhumane, antidemocratic, and just plain cruel. However, that is the reality that so many immigrants and Latinos live with every day because of increasingly aggressive and unlawful immigration enforcement and harassment. Our schools and our courthouses, pillars of a healthy and thriving society, should be safe for everyone.”
Earlier this year, state legislators, advocates, and leaders successfully passed Safe Schools for All for K-12 public schools, which enshrines federal nondiscrimination protections for students into state law and requires schools to implement clear and accessible policies to protect all students, regardless of their immigration status from unlawful immigration enforcement. Today, those protections were expanded to include early childhood education facilities and public universities and community colleges. The omnibus bill also included a bill that affirms protections from civil arrests in and around state courthouses, so that everyone can access justice.
“By passing these protections, Illinois has affirmed its commitment to the safety and inclusion of every family, regardless of immigration status,” added Tortolero. “And once again, we have demonstrated to the country that in Illinois, we stand by immigrant families and will defend our democracy and civil rights.”
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About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit latinopolicyforum.org.