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AQUINO IMMIGRANT FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE SENT TO GOVERNOR

05/08/2019

SPRINGFIELD – A bill sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) that would allow undocumented and transgender students to receive state financial aid for college passed the Senate today.

House Bill 2691, known as the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act, would allow undocumented and transgender Illinois residents to be eligible for State financial aid at institutions of higher education.

“Every student, regardless of their immigration status or gender identity, deserves full access to higher education,” said Aquino. “Our state has an obligation to these students to make sure that we can provide them with the economic means to be successful and enter the work force.”

Under current law, undocumented students are ineligible for State financial assistance. Transgender students who do not register for selective service are also barred from receiving aid.

“This is a matter of priorities,” said Aquino. “You need to ask yourself as a legislator, ‘Do I prioritize students?’ ‘Do I prioritize undocumented immigrants?’ ‘Do I prioritize transgender people and their rights?’ All of these people pay taxes in our state and deserve to receive the benefits they pay into.”

House Bill 2691 awaits the governor’s signature.