Elgin polling residents on illegal immigration

An Elgin group opposed to illegal immigration is seeking input from residents on the effect illegal immigrants have on the city.

The Association for Legal Americans mailed more than 1,000 letters -- and hand-delivered hundreds more -- asking residents their thoughts on specific policy proposals concerning illegal immigration.

For instance, the group asks residents whether they think city officials should make English the official language and whether they should ban businesses that hire illegal immigrants from earning city contracts.

"We just feel that the city council, and the mayor in particular, just don't feel that enough citizens care about this issue," AFLA co-director Doug Heaton said. "Essentially what we're trying to do is find some vehicle to present a group of citizens to the city council so maybe they do something about it."

The mailings include numbers on illegal immigration and Hispanic residents living in Elgin, as well as cost estimates for educating Hispanic students.

"This mailer is being sent to you in hopes that you have had enough of Elgin's illegal alien problems," the mailer says. "We believe our mayor and city council have done far too little when it comes to addressing this issue."

Mayor Ed Schock wasn't immediately available for comment.

AFLA representatives say the survey isn't meant to be scientific. Rather, they are just looking for a sampling of opinions to determine their next steps.

In the future, they said, the group may involve neighborhood "captains" to circulate petitions to a greater number of homes.

"We were trying to be objective with this thing," AFLA co-director Dave White said. "Our goal was to get a feel. It's not a racist thing. It's trying to save a community."


http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=65088&src=5

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=65088&src=5