Lisa Hernandez Looks to Secure Economic Aid for Businesses Impacted by Immigration Raids

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced legislation that would study how the state can best secure and deploy economic resources to small businesses who have struggled to bounce back from reckless and destructive federal immigration enforcement operations. 

“Over the past year, we’ve seen wave after wave of untrained and dangerous immigration agents storming mom and pop restaurants, shops and businesses to hunt down a largely non-existent enemy,” Hernandez said. “This commission will ensure the state can, and will, be able to rapidly deliver aid and resources to businesses should the president ramp up his reign of terror in Illinois once again. We cannot afford to be caught off guard, and this legislation strengthens us.” 

Hernandez’s House Bill 5263 would create the Economic Stabilization and Resilience Commission Act which will study and create recommendations for how the state can best rapidly respond to business disruptions caused by federal immigration enforcement operations. The commission would be required to deliver a report of their findings to the governor and legislature no later than Dec. 31, 2027. 

In the wake of Operation Midway Blitz, many businesses in areas such as Little Village and Cicero saw declining customers at shops, restaurants and local businesses out of fear of arrest or harassment from federal agents. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.