If you’re an Illinois taxpayer, congratulations – you’re now a venture capitalist in the anti- ICE movement.
According to an Illinois Policy website [1], state lawmakers quietly steered $1.5 million in grant money to the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for “operating expenses.” On paper, that sounds harmless. In practice, it means public dollars are propping up an organization whose president, Jaime di Paulo, has openly opposed deportations, called for amnesty, and published guides helping business owners navigate ICE raids and other “unexpected immigration-related challenges.”
When the government funds one “business” group and not another, it’s not just generosity – it’s favoritism. And it’s political. It effectively subsidizes certain groups over others, using money collected from everyone. That’s not economic development. That’s political development.
Supporters will argue the chamber provides valuable services to Hispanic entrepreneurs. Fine. If those services are worthwhile, members should gladly pay for them. That’s how chambers work.
But instead, Illinois lawmakers have decided that “operating expenses” for a politically active organization are essential line items in the state budget. At a time when Illinois faces chronic budget strain, maybe taxpayers deserve a little less Leftist activism – and a little more accountability.