RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2023
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month and honoring the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
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WHEREAS, in the United States, June is acknowledged as Immigrant Heritage Month. Envisioned by the “I Stand With Immigrants Initiative” through their “I Am An Immigrant” foundation, the intention of Immigrant Heritage Month is to honor the innumerable contributions of the immigrant community while encouraging people to reflect upon their own heritage. The first formal celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month occurred in 2014; and
WHEREAS, based upon statistical analysis from 2018, it is estimated there were 44.8 million immigrants residing in the United States, comprising 13.7% of the population. The immigrant population contributed more than $458.7 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue. Additionally, approximately 44% of the companies listed on the Forbes Fortune 500 were founded by immigrants or first-generation Americans; and
WHEREAS, one of the many organizations in Illinois dedicated to advocating for equal treatment of those in the immigrant community is the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). Founded in 1986, ICIRR has been actively working to assist immigrants and refugees with gaining access to healthcare; registering to vote; facilitating assistance with receiving legal, religious, and social services; and obtaining access to public benefits; and
WHEREAS, in partnership with other organizations, ICIRR has promoted changes on the local and state level that positively impacted the immigrant and refugee community including: addition of the first permanent line item in the state budget dedicated to immigrant services (2002); passage of state legislation that provides in-state tuition for undocumented students (2003); and creation of the Office of New Americans within the Office of the Governor (2005) and the City of Chicago (2011); and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is proud to join in the acknowledgment of June as Immigrant Heritage Month and humbled to honor the ICIRR for their diligence and resolve in being a steady proponent for the immigrant and refugee community in Illinois; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize June as Immigrant Heritage Month and honor the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Dated: June 1, 2023