Immigration Project

A farmer from Arrowsmith who raises 74,000 hogs a year says he couldn’t do it without immigrant labor.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the proposed ordinance has been released. You can read it here.

The Normal Town Council will take up a Welcoming City ordinance at its meeting on Monday.

Mayor Chris Koos said there might be some last-minute tweaks to the proposal, but the measure leans on the language in the town's Comprehensive Plan and Visioning Report.

With the American flag flying in the background, a group of about 30 Illinois State University students demonstrated Monday in front of the Hovey Hall administration building to press university officials to make ISU an official "welcoming campus."

"We're fasting today for freedom, for mercy, for justice," declared the Rev. Jim Warren of First Christian Church as the sunlight cast a golden glow on him and others gathered outside Bloomington City Hall on Sunday.

Five aldermen who tried to remove the Welcoming City ordinance from the Bloomington council agenda probably did not break the law, according to a noted First Amendment and public access attorney in Illinois.

Valentine’s Day, primarily recognized as a day of love and appreciation, takes on a new meaning for couples living in fear of possible deportation.

The advocacy group Illinois People’s Action again lobbied the Bloomington City Council on Monday for a so-called Welcoming Cities ordinance to protect immigrants.