Illinois’ U.S. Senators will be on opposite sides of today’s debate over legislation which would make it much more difficult for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S. The bill, known as the American SAFE Act of 2015, would require the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director to all personally certify that each refugee isn’t a threat to national security before they’re admitted.
The bill passed with a veto-proof majority in the House, with 47 Democrats supporting it and 2 Republicans opposed.
In other State news, a new program to help minority-owned businesses will focus on making connections, not providing loans.
Gov. Bruce Rauner says his new program will be a mostly volunteer-driven effort to make introductions for new business owners, which will hopefully provide them with advice and even startup capital. Rauner argues that’s more likely to succeed than providing businesses with publicly-funded loans.
The program will be called called ADME, or Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship, The first year will focus on businesses in Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford, with Rauner hoping to eventually expand it statewide.
