By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to send Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation placing limits on local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate in the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

The Illinois TRUST Act passed the state House Monday with only one Republican vote. It would require the presence of a warrant before law enforcement can detain a suspected illegal immigrant, and not just because of an order by a federal agency.

Sponsor Chris Welch, D-Chicago, said the bill makes the state a leader in immigration protection policy.

“It sends a signal to the two million immigrants who are in our state today and those who want to come tomorrow that we are a welcoming state,” Welch said.

Opponents of the bill say it makes Illinois the first sanctuary state but Democrats in committee said it’s only protecting the state’s undocumented population from overly-eager local police intent on deporting people. Republican Steve Andersson said immigration enforcement is something that should be handled at a federal level.

“I think comprehensive immigration reform is appropriate, but I think that the appropriate venue isn’t the Illinois State House,” he said. “I think it’s probably the federal government.”

The bill is scheduled for a procedural vote in the Senate before it lands on Rauner’s desk. Even though the bill had only one Republican vote, Welch insists the governor supports it.