IL HJR0069

Urges the President to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a parole and work authorization program for long-term undocumented immigrant workers residing in Illinois on a case-by-case basis.

Cites Illinois' critical labor shortages across multiple sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, education, construction, and hospitality, with only 76 available workers for every 100 jobs.

Notes Illinois has approximately 500,000 undocumented residents, nearly 30% of whom have lived in the U.S. for over 20 years, contributing approximately $1.5 billion in taxes annually.

Identifies specific workforce needs: 56,000+ annual restaurant openings, 41,000+ openings for laborers and maintenance workers, 59,000+ retail and customer service openings, 15,000+ home health aide openings, and a projected shortage of 15,000 nurses by 2025.

Urges the Governor to work with federal partners to advocate for establishing the parole and work authorization program for long-term undocumented immigrants in Illinois.