Immigration status alone will no longer be a valid reason for the Illinois State Police to detain someone, under an order issued Monday by Gov. Pat Quinn.
In the executive order, Quinn says that "community policing efforts are hindered" when immigrants who are victims of, or witness, crimes are wary of cooperating for fear they'll be deported.
Quinn's order only applies to agencies under the governor's control: state troopers and conservation police.
Lawrence Benito, the head of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, says it's a goal to go further in the coming year.
"The most common reason get why immigrants get caught up in the immigration pipeline is through routine traffic stops with local law enforcement. And so we've been working with the legislature to address this legislatively."
Quinn's order takes effect immediately.
Quinn--who leaves office next week--also issued another order, which seeks to make it easier for immigrants trying to apply for the temporary legal status under President Barack Obama's recent executive action.
Editor's Note: WUIS's Amanda Vinicky wrote the original story.