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Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signaled support for state legislation that would protect immigrants in the country illegally from being detained solely because of their immigration status, but he held off on promising to sign the bill.

The governor's comments during a Friday radio appearance were the first time he's publicly offered his views of the measure. Rauner said he would be making an announcement about the bill "in the next couple days," and that he was "very excited."

"I think it seems very reasonable," Rauner said of the legislation, which would prohibit state and local police in Illinois from arresting or detaining a person solely because of their immigration status, or based on a federal immigration detainer. The law would, however, allow law enforcement officials to hold someone if a judge has issued a warrant.

Supporters of the legislation, including immigrant advocates and the business community, have been pushing Rauner to sign the bill, which has been on his desk since late June. But the governor also has faced intense lobbying in opposition from Republican Party's conservative wing.

Retired Exelon Chairman John Rowe, who heads the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition, said he had spoken with the governor Thursday to push for his signature.

"The governor said, 'I want to sign this bill, I believe in this bill but I need to see enough support from the law enforcement community so it doesn't provoke the whole sanctuary city issue,'" Rowe said during a Friday news conference with Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Appearing on WBEZ 91.5-FM's "Morning Shift," Rauner noted that the bill is "supported by law enforcement, it's supported by the business community, it's supported by the immigration community. I think it seems very reasonable."

The immigration issue has been a tricky one for Rauner, who has tended to stay away from national political issues that could attract the attention of or link him to President Donald Trump.

Rauner has consistently avoided directly responding to reporters' questions about Chicago's "sanctuary city" status, highlighted most recently in criticism raised by Attorney General Jeff Sessions as well as by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's efforts to sue the Justice Department to ensure the city would not be denied certain federal grants because of its declaration on immigration.

Instead, Rauner has said the nation as a whole should have a comprehensive immigration policy rather than having the country dotted by municipalities setting up their own rules and procedures.

The issue could figure into Rauner's 2018 re-election bid, as the governor will need the support of Downstate voters, some of whom want to see immigration policy that cracks down on those who are in the country illegally.

Rick Pearson and Monique Garcia

State Sen. Kyle McCarter, a Republican from Lebanon outside St. Louis, said that if Rauner does not veto the bill "this could be the last straw" for Downstate voters who have backed the governor.

"There was a reason the president won so big in downstate Illinois, this is one of those issues that we stood with the president on," McCarter said. "I understand it's a difficult decision for the governor to make, but he's going to have to decide if this should be the priority, or meeting the basic needs of the legal citizens of Illinois."

McCarter said he has reached out to the governor's chief of staff to encourage Rauner to veto the bill.

"I think I can speak for downstate Illinois and most Trump supporters, this isn't the direction that I want the country to go or the state to go," he said. "We are a country founded by immigrants, but those were legal immigrants, and I think the last thing Illinois wants is to see a sanctuary state, and this moves us in that direction."

There are also concerns that the legislation could put Illinois crosswise with the federal government and in the crosshairs of the Trump administration's attempted crack down on sanctuary cities.

Also critical of the bill is Rep. John Cabello, a Republican of Mexican heritage who is a Rockford police detective and also co-chair of the Illinois Trump Victory fund. Cabello said the measure puts police in the position of choosing whether to uphold federal law or state law.

"We can't cherry-pick which laws we are going to enforce, it doesn't matter if this bill is signed into law or not, law enforcement will do what we have to do," he said. "I think this bill is symbolic, no law enforcement officer is going to follow this bill."

The bill passed with mostly Democratic support. In the Senate, five Republicans voted for the Trust Act. In the House, only one Republican voted for the bill.

Supporters of the legislation argue that it will help build trust between police and the immigrant community, and will give immigrants confidence that they can come forward to help police solve crimes without having to worry about being punished because of their immigration status. Cabello disputed that notion.

"If people can't trust law enforcement without this bill, they are not going to trust law enforcement with this bill," he said.

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

kgeiger@chicagotribune.com

Excerpt from:
Rauner facing pressure from Downstate Republicans to veto 'very reasonable' immigration bill - Chicago Tribune