Adam Brown and Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, take questions from reporters during a press conference announcing their proposal to crack down on illegal immigration in Illinois. The proposal was drafted in response to a report released this month detailing the more than $4 billion annual cost of illegal immigration to Illinois taxpayers.

Decatur Herald & Review – Friday, July 9, 2010

DECATUR – Illegal immigration is costing Illinois taxpayers more than $4 billion a year, according to a recently released study by an immigration reform group.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, and Adam Brown, Republican candidate for the 101st House District seat, announced Thursday that they plan to ease this burden by introducing an Arizona-style bill in the state legislature.

“Part of the reason Illinois is going broke is because of illegal immigration,” Mitchell said at a news conference at Brown’s campaign headquarters.

Mitchell said the bill will include these components: illegal immigrants who are identified by authorities will be reported to federal law enforcement for detention; the state will not pay welfare benefits to illegal immigrants; and sanctuary cities will not receive state funds.

Brown, a Decatur city council member, said illegal immigration is an important issue for him and his constituents, especially because it has an impact on family incomes.

“They’re criminals,” Brown said. “This is based on a fundamental issue that has been ignored by the federal and state governments.”

Mitchell said the issue is especially important to people in Decatur, because of its high unemployment.

According to a study released this month by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, “The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration,” Illinois ranks fifth in the nation in its annual outlay to support illegal immigrants, with almost $4.6 billion in annual state and local government benefits. Most of the costs are for education, medical and justice services.

Brown’s opponent, state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said he agrees that illegal immigration is a problem.

“I support efforts to do what we can to ensure our taxpayers are not footing the bill for illegal immigration,” Flider said. “I think the federal government is doing a woefully inadequate job. I want to reduce the number of illegal immigrants. I want employers to be penalized if they are caught hiring illegal immigrants.”

George Wissmiller, the Democrat challenger for Mitchell’s House seat, said Illinois does not need an expensive new state law. A retired Champaign police officer, Wissmiller said the federal authorities will not pay the expenses to deport illegal immigrants from Illinois.

“We need a solution at the federal level, and we need it soon,” Wissmiller said.

Help Adam Stop Illegal Immigration

Check out related articles on Adam’s proposal to stop illegal immigration in Illinois:

“Brown, Mitchell urge tighter immigration laws within Illinois” - Shelby County News, Sunday, July 11th

“Mitchell, Brown push for immigration law in Illinois” – Shelbyville Daily Union, Monday, July 12th

“Brown and Mitchell want tougher law against illegal immigration” – Decatur Tribune, Thursday, July 8th