Chambana Sun

A bill permitting non-citizens to become student members of the board of trustees at public universities in Illinois has been voted through the General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 2204 makes it easier for non-citizens to run to become student trustees by trimming down the documents students need to prove residency in Illinois from three to one.

Illinois law currently requires student trustee candidates to show proof of Illinois residency for at least the past six months, a valid Illinois driver's license, and valid Illinois voter registration. Should Gov. Bruce Rauner sign the bill into law, student trustee candidates will only be required to show one of the three documents.

"Let me preface my comments by saying that America, and Illinois, is a melting pot where we welcome immigrants,” state Rep. Adam Brown (R-Champaign), told the Chambana Sun. “This historical tolerance allows us to uphold cultural differences as we learn from one another and celebrate rights that our nation provides. However, S.B. 2204 would reward illegal activity by passing opportunities to those who have not respected our nation's laws.”

S.B. 2204 passed the Illinois House last week on a 61-49 vote after passing the Senate in a 35-4 vote in April.

The legislation came about because an undocumented immigrant attending the University of Illinois-Chicago wanted to run for student trustee, but was unable to provide all three of the documents required to prove residency.

The university believes S.B. 2204 will allow more students to be elected as student trustees, ease stringent requirements have discouraged students from running in the past, and encourage more diversity representation on the University of Illinois board of trustees.

Brown said his opposition to the bill is in line with his stance on similar proposals.

“I have consistently opposed bills providing welfare expansion, driving benefits, and elected office (as this bill does) to those who reside here illegally," he said. "I remain steadfast in that position."

The  University of Illinois is the largest university in the state. Its main campus is in Brown's district -- District 101.

The bill’s chief sponsor in the state Senate is state Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago); in the House it is backed by state Reps. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero), Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) and Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake).