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Local Politicians, Business Leaders Call On Congress To Pass Immigration Reform

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Governor Quinn, Mayor Emanuel and other elected officials joined some of the area's top business people in again demanding a congressional vote on comprehensive immigration reform, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

Former Exelon chairman John Rowe with the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition says fixing the broken immigration system will help the economy.

"Of course, it turns out even business people care every bit as much about the moral side of the issue as we do about the economic side," said Roe.

Local Politicians, Business Leaders Call On Congress To Pass Immigration Reform

No one typified the moral argument better than Whitney Young sophomore Alejandra Renteria, whose father was deported and worries along with her siblings that her mother will be.

"I had perfect attendance until today. I missed school to ask you to please let our mother stay at home with us and with her kids," she said.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says people on both sides of the political aisle must realize that immigrants are part of the strength of our economy.

"We have to keep pushing to get comprehensive immigration reform. We need a new legal framework that acknowledges that the assets that immigrants bring with them are the answer to many of our needs as a nation just as it has always been," said Cullerton.

If Congress doesn't act, they want President Barack Obama to take executive action.

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