In 2005, Governor signed the landmark “New
American Executive Order,” creating
The Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy,
to coordinate policies and programs to help newcomers
fully assimilate to the state, provide more and
better services to the growing number of immigrants
living in Illinois, and to study the impact of
immigration policy on the state.
Governor's new state policy was the first of its kind
in the nation and aims to help immigrants enter
the mainstream more quickly - whether that means learning English,
buying a home, encouraging their children to succeed in schools,
or supporting their communities in other ways.
The state has brought together key policymakers, state and local
advocates for newcomers, funders, and many others to address how
Illinois can better assist new Americans and the communities that
receive them. Four new entities were created:
- Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy: The
Office of New Americans coordinates
the policies, actions, planning, and programs
of the state's government with respect to immigrant
integration in Illinois , and the impact of
immigration policy on Illinois and Illinoisans.
- New Americans Immigrant Policy Council: The
Policy Council consults with immigrant leaders,
state governmental leaders, and national policy
experts to recommend strategic directions on
key issues. The Policy Council is comprised of
22 prominent Illinois business, faith, labor,
community, and philanthropic leaders with experience
in this field. The Council focuses on a range
of issues, including U.S. citizenship, human
services, healthcare, and education.
- Public-private State Task Force:
The Task Force is examining, agency by agency,
how State government can systematically address
the rapidly changing demographics of our State
and assist immigrant and refugee newcomers
to quickly become integrated into Illinois
society.
- National Advisory Council: The
National Advisory Council helps guide the work
of the New Americans Executive. The Council consist
of prominent national academics, business leaders,
advocates and governmental practitioners who
will lend their vision to the project and share
the project's recommendations through their national
networks.
At a time when one in five people in Illinois are either immigrants
or the children of immigrants, the creation of The Office of New
Americans is a culmination of policies supported and developed by
the Governor in cooperation with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant
and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a broad-based
organization dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and
refugees to full and equal participation in our diverse society.
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