‘Welcoming Plan’ Aims To Make Champaign County More Immigrant-Inclusive
CHAMPAIGN – Immigrants make up about 12% of Champaign County’s total population and have contributed to the county’s economic growth in recent years, contributing tens of millions of dollars in state and local taxes and injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. At the same time, the rapid rise in the immigrant […]
The People Who Pick America’s Fruits And Vegetables Are Getting Older
The average age of farmworkers born outside the U.S. steadily increased from 2008 to 2019, while the average age of U.S.-born workers has stayed about the same over the same period. Foreign-born farmworkers are on average 5 years older than their U.S.-born counterparts. An analysis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Research Service attributes the […]
Latino Caucus Lays Out Undocumented Immigrant Protection Agenda
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus laid out a policy agenda Thursday that includes bills to strengthen protections for immigrants among several other measures. One of the proposals, Senate Bill 225, would prohibit the Illinois Secretary of State from sharing facial recognition data with local, state or federal law enforcement agencies, if they’re trying to […]
For Non-English Speakers, Getting Vaccine Information Is A Challenge
The Midwest is home to tens of thousands of immigrants — including refugees from countries like Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq. And it’s been a challenge to provide information about COVID-19 and vaccines to those who don’t speak English.
200 Million: Biden Issues New Vaccine Goal During His 1st Press Conference
WASHINGTON – President Biden is doubling his original COVID-19 vaccination goal to 200 million shots in arms by his 100th day in office — which is about a month from now — he said in the first news conference of his presidency on Thursday. When he entered office, Biden said his goal was 100 million vaccine […]
Biden To Propose 8-Year Citizenship Path For Immigrants
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of his administration. It would provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the legislation. It’s a massive reversal from the […]
Farmworkers Who Help Put Food On American Tables Struggle To Afford It Themselves
It’s been a tough year for essential workers — nurses, first responders, grocery store workers. But among the hardest hit are agricultural workers, who have been working non-stop to keep food on our tables while struggling to make ends meet themselves. Organizations like the Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) are trying to help by […]
News Around Illinois – February 11, 2020
13th District Democratic Primary Candidates Discuss Issues At Forum CHAMPAIGN – Healthcare was a major issue for both Betsy Dirksen Londrigan and Stefanie Smith at a candidate’s forum in Champaign Monday evening. But the two Democrats competing to run against U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis in Illinois’ 13th District disagreed on what’s the best plan. Smith, […]