ICIRR statement at the end of General Assembly session

CHICAGO – In 2025, members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and our allies advocated for a policy platform that protects against the worst attacks from the Trump administration, preserves hard-won immigrant rights at the state level, advances economic justice, and generates new revenue to invest in all communities across Illinois. Grassroots leaders made their voices heard in their communities and in Springfield, bringing our collective demands to all legislators and statewide officials throughout the year. 

As the Illinois General Assembly session comes to a close, ICIRR executive director Lawrence Benito issued the following statement: 

“The 2025 legislative session and FY26 budget advance and preserve several of the priorities that our communities fought for this year, and those wins are worth celebrating. Funding for vital programs, new revenue sources, and the passage of Safe Schools for All (HB 3247) represent wins for communities across the state. 

“However, in many ways the state is preparing to take a significant step backwards, and deeper cuts remain on the horizon if Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to push states to comply in advance with their hateful agenda. Immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and many more will be directly harmed if the federal government targets welcoming, inclusive states like Illinois. 

“ICIRR, our members, and our allies are committed to making sure that Illinois lives up to its values. Illinois has been a beacon for so many communities in large part because we have prioritized inclusive and welcoming policies that offer opportunity and safety to families from across the country and the world. We cannot and will not let Trump dictate how we choose to treat our neighbors here in Illinois. 

“Instead Illinois must continue to prioritize much needed revenue solutions that help ensure that our state policies and programs are accessible to all people. We are committed to organizing and building power to push our state leaders to do more and ultimately choose the needs of all people over the few wealthiest interests.”

ICIRR and our members celebrate passage of the following bills and budget lines: 

• Passage of Safe Schools for All, HB 3247.

• $40 million in funding for public benefits program outreach, interpretation and translation services, and citizenship and DACA application assistance. 

• Preservation of life-saving health care access for immigrant seniors.

• New revenue streams and closed corporate tax loopholes which we supported as part of the Illinois Revenue Alliance that place the burden on wealthy corporations rather than working families.

ICIRR and our members are committed to continue fighting for: 

• Healthcare coverage for all who are left out of access to care, including immigrant adults and those who are cut from federal aid with no other options 

• Updates to the Child Tax Credit to ensure all families who need it get the resources we deserve.

• Changes to laws governing medical billing that increase fairness, improve transparency, and help prevent medical debt for uninsured Illinoisans.

• Preserving and strengthening welcoming policies including the TRUST Act.

• Guaranteed income programs that effectively reduce poverty.

• Additional meaningful revenue solutions that will help Illinois blunt the impact of Trump and MAGA budget cuts.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) builds power with over 100 member and partner organizations representing diverse immigrant and refugee communities across the state. Together the coalition organizes to win policies that ensure a more equitable society rooted in dignity and respect for all. Learn more at icirr.org.