Feedback on prison costs - Noland responds

I found this article on-line the other day:
Undocumented prison inmates costing state
By Sheena McFarland
The Salt Lake Tribune 06/19/2008

Federal funds to offset the costs of undocumented immigrants in Utah 's prisons pays for only about 7 percent of the cost.

In 2007, it cost about $7.7 million to imprison about 300 undocumented immigrants, but the U.S. Department of Justice's State Criminal Alien Assistance Program allotted the state only $566,000.

Utah received the largest amount of money for its undocumented prisoners in 1999, but saw a precipitous decline beginning in 2001.

Undocumented prisoners make up 4.5 percent of the Utah Department of Corrections total incarcerated population. Utah prisons have a yearly average of about 300 undocumented prisoners from 2002 to 2008, with 77 percent of that population committing violent crimes such as murder, assault and rape. From 2000 to 2008, 52 previous offenders, or about 17 percent, committed a new crime and were returned to Utah prisons. (end of quote)

So I sent this message to the following Illinois elected officials:
Mike Noland
Ruth Munson
Dan Rutherford
Frank Watson
Patricia Reid Lindner
Tom Cross
Randy Ramey

June 19, 2008
Dear State Leaders:
Below you will find a newspaper article from Utah about the expenses associated with the incarceration of illegal aliens.

I'm guessing that Illinois probably has several times the number of inmates Utah reports. After all, we rank number four in the nation in popularity as a destination for illegal aliens. We would do well to know that number, especially in light of our budget deficit and pension borrowing.

I have two questions:
1) What is the price tag for Illinois ?
2) What are you doing about it?

Please let me know.

Sincerely,
Doug Heaton
Association for Legal Americans

As of this moment (June 25th) I have received just one response, (correction, two responses) from our State Senator Mike Noland and a GOP staffer. Here are their responses:

Dear Mr. Heaton, on the issue of immigration generally….

It is easy to take the hard line saying that illegal means illegal; It is also too easy to excuse those who unlawfully enter and reside here in the U.S. at the expense of taxpayers. While some look for scapegoats, others, I know, look for free ride. But only a clearing of the air on immigration will allow us to see the light and the way on this issue.

While some would urge that only a comprehensive approach at the federal level will bring the needed relief our communities, our state and our nation deserve, I am of the belief that there are at least a few things at the state, and, perhaps, at the local level we can do to address the issue.

On the one hand, when we consider the millions of dollars (easily for the 22nd District alone) we pay police, prosecutors and judges to preside over traffic cases directly or indirectly related to immigration status, and the resulting higher cost of automobile insurance, I suggest that this is an awfully high price to pay for continuing the status quo.

On the other hand, I recognize that our nation’s generosity, boundless as I know it is, may not be equaled by its capacity to accommodate every willing entrant into its borders. And softening our laws locally may only invite increased numbers of undocumented persons into this country.

But I say this, we must also recognize that we are neither ennobled nor enriched by anger or resentment. When we allow ourselves to hate and fear others who lack citizenship and suggest that their numbers threaten our freedom or our jobs or our families, then we also learn to treat these “others” not as neighbors, which they are however uninvited, but as enemies, to be engaged not with decency but with distain; to be over-ruled and, if possible, made invisible. Voters came to my public hearing on the driver’s certificate issue because they will not tolerate being made invisible. They demand, and rightfully so, to be heard.

And, as is my duty, as their state senator, I have listened. And in listening, I have learned that we can vanquish neither anger nor resentment by merely passing or preventing the passage of any law or resolution. We can, however, consider, if only for a moment, that these “others” who live with us, like we, seek nothing more than the chance to live out a life of purpose and fulfillment for themselves and their children. And that this is simply the American dream that we all pursue.

The greatness of the American dream and this nation has been based not upon the limiting, but in the advancement, of others at every station of life. Surely together, we can re-build a common bond of faith in the American dream here in the 22nd District and the great state of Illinois . Let us set aside that which divides us and return us to the noble work of becoming a great people; great Americans, “indivisible. With liberty and justice for all.”

Senator Michael Noland

And one comment from an individual who shall remain nameless:
Mike-
As I wiped a tear from my eye while reading this, I swear I heard someone singing America the Beautiful in the background. You have said absolutely nothing more eloquently than anyone I know. Thank you….

Just as I published the above comments, this message came from Springfield. Here it is:
My name is Jim Foys and I work on the Senate Republican Staff. I have been given a copy of your email requesting some information regarding illegal immigrants in the State's Corrections System. According to the Department of Corrections, there are 1,700 illegal immigrants currently incarcerated within the Department. The Department states that this is how many illegals of which it is aware, so the actual number may be significantly higher. At a cost of approximately $24,000 per inmate per year, these illegals are costing the Department at least $41 million on an annual basis.

Additional responses received late Wednesday

Jim Foys adds that the federal government reimbursed Illinois $6.1 million for the incarceration of illegal aliens in our state prisons, a little less than 15% of the total. (Hey, they got more than Utah did!)

State Rep Randy Ramey sent this response:
Mr. Heaton,
The answer to your questions:
1) $3.5 billion (estimated)

2) Introducing legislation to mirror what Oklahoma did last year with OK HB 1804 (Rep. Randy Terrill).

I agree with your comments and have been actively working to stop this expenditure on illegal aliens. One of my bills HB 5756 has moved to second reading but has been stalled by the Latino Caucus.

Please me if you have any other questions.
Randy Ramey
State Representative
55th District
(Clearly Ramey is talking about the TOTAL cost of illegal aliens, not just the incarceration question.)

And Tom Cross sent me a message asking me to subscribe to his newsletter, but did not offer any comments or answers.