Is Governor Rod Blagojevich’s “AllKids” Expansion of Children’s Health Care Targeting Those Illegally in US?

That’s what the most intense questioner at Monday night’s legislative road show in Lake in the Hills thinks.

Algonquin resident T. J. asked State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and State Sen. Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) after an extensive dialogue on school financing.

“Is this including illegal aliens?” she asked. “My understanding is that this is (such) an extension.

“This is another legal avenue to negotiate a way through our society. This is ridiculous!” she continued.

In the public arena, intensity counts.

One really angry constituent can knock on a lot of doors and talk to a lot of people if she wants to.

The two legislators paid attention.T. J. told Althoff that she knew that the senator had supported the matricula card in April. That identification card is issued by the Mexican government to its citizens who live in other countries.

“People who are illegally in this country apply for this card at the Mexican consulate,” T. J. explained later. “If you are legally in this country, there is not need for this card. The kicker is that the Mexican government doesn’t even recognize this as a legal ID.”

Althoff seemed taken aback and seemed to suggest that she did not vote for the bill in question.

“Only 13 voted against it,” T. J. replied forcefully, referencing an April senate roll call.

Later in the meeting, T. J. asked how each legislator planned to vote on the proposal, whose language has not yet been made public.

“Right now, I’m not going to support it,” Tryon replied, although he added, “I totally support putting Medicaid under a managed care program.

“I don’t see how you can do this (program) for $50 million.

Althoff’s answer was similar:

“No. I am not a supporter of the program at all.”

Curiously, the Daily Herald ignored the issue, while the Northwest Herald at least mentioned it. 


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