Illinois has historically been a destination for immigrants, and continues to be home to newcomers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The state’s economy has long benefited from the talent and energy of these newcomers. As the immigrant population grows, the State faces the challenge of how to best integrate these newcomers into economy and society. While the State has created several programs to aid immigrants with specific issues, neither Illinois nor any other US state has come up with a comprehensive policy for integration. The New Americans Executive Order seeks to develop such a wide-ranging, strategic approach to integration.

• Illinois Immigrants
• Illinois communities
• Residents of the State of Illinois

The Executive Order process involves two parallel tracks: The State has formed a new Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy to coordinate the work of state agencies (through an interagency task force) as they review their policies and procedures to make them better suited to serving immigrant communities. A Policy Council made up of community leaders develops recommendations for strategies that the State can use to help immigrants learn English, develop job skills, become citizens, buy homes, form businesses and participate in their children’s education.

In December 2006, the State and the Policy Council issued a first round of reports including recommendations on English acquisition, citizenship, human services, health care and education. A second, final set of reports will be issued in 2008 to address housing, police relations and economic development.

The State has authorized an English education initiative that was one of the key recommendations of the first round.

The work of the Policy Council has been funded by the John D. And Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Joyce Foundation.