On June 7th in Chicago, elected officials, community leaders, and business leaders gathered to celebrate the passage of House Joint Resolution 69 (H.J.R. 69), known as the “Work Permits for All” resolution, which was approved by the Illinois House and Senate on May 26. This resolution urges President Biden to issue work permits for long-term undocumented workers in Illinois, reflecting strong public support for executive action on this issue leading up to the November election. The overwhelming popularity of work permits for undocumented immigrants is evident in polling data, with support from Democrats, swing voters, and even likely Republican voters. With resolutions passed in Chicago and Cook County in December, Illinois now joins the push for this policy, and the focus shifts to the state’s Congressional delegation to advocate for it with the Biden administration.
