Small Illinois township makes English official language in support of Arizona immigration law

Ill. township makes English its official language

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — A small Illinois township has made English its official language in a symbolic gesture supporting Arizona’s controversial immigration law.

Homer Township officials admit illegal immigration isn’t an issue in the municipality of about 30,000 people about 35 miles southwest of Chicago.

But the township’s board passed a resolution this week without much objection making English the official language. That’s even though township documents are printed in English and there haven’t been requests for other languages.

The township is largely white. Hispanics comprise about 12 percent of the population.

Township clerk Steve Balich is the resolution’s author. He contends illegal immigrants cost taxpayers money and hopes the resolution stimulates more debate.