Any companies that may end up helping build a wall on the U.S./Mexico border would stand to lose Illinois investments, under a proposal unveiled Tuesday.
The legislation would forbid the state's pension funds from investing in any firm that participates in the wall proposed by President-Elect Donald Trump.
State Representative Lisa Hernandez, a Chicago Democrat, says the plan sends a message that Illinois supports immigrants, not divisiveness.
"Instead of investing dollars in a wall, we should be investing more so in schools, in universities. It's about building bridges, not building walls,” Hernandez said.
Supporters say that were such legislation to pass, it would force Governor Bruce Rauner to take a stance on the issue.
The Republican avoided talking about Trump throughout the campaign. He since said that he is hopeful the Trump administration will be “pro-growth.”
Rauner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new bill.
Illinois law already requires its pensions systems divest from companies doing business with Sudan, Iran and firms that boycott Israel.
