New Year, Same “Lame Duck” Democrats

After a snowy four-day "Lame Duck" session, Illinois lawmakers convened the 104th General Assembly with Inauguration Ceremonies on January 8.

Senate Republicans expressed concern that, with many Illinoisans struggling to make ends meet, the recent session could have been used to address these challenges. Instead, Governor Pritzker and his allies focused on measures that prioritize noncitizens and criminals over hardworking residents.

One such measure, House Bill 5164, commonly referred to as the "Name Change Bill," passed the Senate on January 5 without any Republican support and passed the House of Representatives on January 7 along strict partisan lines.

Proponents of the bill argue it enables non-citizens to change their names through an expedited and confidential process, provided they've lived in Illinois for at least three months. However, critics point out that the legislation merely requires individuals to claim eligibility without offering proof, which they fear could allow illegal immigrants, criminals, and others to exploit the system to evade authorities.

The bill also allows judges to seal name change records, which the Senate Republicans believe creates a loophole that undermines the legal process and could benefit individuals with malicious intent. Opponents contend this measure exacerbates the challenges posed by illegal immigration under Governor JB Pritzker's administration, further endangering community safety.