Rebecca Shi, executive director of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC), will receive the Advocacy Award at the Erie Neighborhood House Future of Promise awards dinner on Thursday, March 16.<\/p>\n
Shi has served at the helm of the statewide coalition of businesses and business associations committed to immigration reform since 2014, having previously worked as the Director of Organizing for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights where she led the successful passage of the Temporary Driver\u2019s Licenses legislation to license and ensure nearly 450,000 undocumented immigrants in Illinois, making the roads safer for all.<\/p>\n
At IBIC she works directly with a steering committee of 79 Illinois based CEOs, business associations, University presidents and civic leaders to advocate for federal comprehensive immigration reform and local pro business pro immigrant legislations including continuing Illinois\u2019s All Kids program to provide health care for undocumented children.<\/p>\n
IBIC has been extraordinarily effective in moving the politics of Illinois, winning public bipartisan support from the majority of Illinois’s Congressional delegation for commonsense immigration reform.<\/p>\n
Recently, IBIC led a coalition of 127 CEOs from across the country to support to the BRIDGE Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to protect and support undocumented youth currently enrolled in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur primary goal is to achieve common sense, comprehensive immigration reform,\u201d says Shi, \u201cbut it\u2019s equally important to see progress on smaller issues that are part of the bigger picture. Those results and victories energize our members.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about IBIC\u2019s commitment to working for immigration reform, Shi is quick to address the moral aspect. \u201cThe CEOs and business leaders we work with don\u2019t look at immigrants as merely employees,\u201d explains Shi. \u201cThey view them as family.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Shi also contends that there are clear and obvious economic reasons for the advocacy efforts her coalition puts forth. \u201cThe business sector in Illinois relies on immigrants for productivity and to create additional jobs and revenue,\u201d she says, citing the essential role immigrants play in sectors ranging from agriculture to restaurants and hospitality to technology. In addition, Shi points out that immigrants represent an important segment of the state\u2019s consumer base as well.<\/p>\n
For Shi, the issue of immigration hits close to home. \u201cMy mother was undocumented and lived facing the threat of deportation for 19 years,\u201d says Shi, who herself was born in Beijing and arrived in the U.S. at age 10. She credits Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) with intervening to ensure her mother would not be deported. \u201cWe had a really good outcome,\u201d she adds, acknowledging that millions of undocumented immigrants have not been so fortunate. \u201cThat\u2019s why I do what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Illinois Business Immigration Coalition is an indispensable partner in our work for immigration reform,\u201d says Erie House executive director Kirstin Chernawsky. \u201cRebecca\u2019s leadership and vision in these efforts have been outstanding, and we are excited to honor her with our Advocacy Award on March 16.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebecca’s organizing in Chicago’s Chinatown community led to a new library, new field house, new district and the first Asian American representative in Illinois legislature. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Rebecca was named to \u201c20 in their 20s\u201d by Crain\u2019s Chicago Business.<\/p>\n
Shi will be recognized at Chicago\u2019s Radisson Blu Aqua alongside fellow honorees John De Carrier, Principal of MYD Holdings (Champion of Change Award); and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (Corporate Impact Award), accepted by Clarita Santos, Senior Director, Community Health Initiatives. The event is chaired by Wintrust Financial Corporation and will include opening remarks from President & CEO Ed Wehmer.<\/p>\n