House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton spoke, as did University of Illinois President Mike Hogan and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.
Cullerton told students and adults at a Southwest Side church that many immigrants aren't at fault for being undocumented because they were children when their parents brought them to this country.
"But because they're undocumented, the law limits their choices, and denies these young, intelligent, hard-working, dedicated, and yes, patriotic residents the basic options of a civilized society," said state Sen. John Cullerton.
"We know that if we work together, we will protect immigrant services in the state of Illinois," said state Rep. Mike Madigan, stressing that the ancestors of virtually all Americans were immigrants.
