SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam to protect immigration status in a civil case was signed into law on Friday.

"As the son of Indian immigrants, I know firsthand that immigrants have not pursued justice, at times, due to fear that their immigration status will be brought up in court. That ends now. Whether related to workers' compensation, harassment, discrimination, wage theft, or a whole host of other issues, all residents of our state deserve to access justice without fear," Villivalam (D-Chicago) said. "I would like to thank Governor Pritzker for signing this legislation into law and Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz for her efforts in passing this legislation through the House."

SB 1429 would make a person's immigration status generally inadmissible in civil proceedings unless it is essential to prove the element of a case or an affirmative defense. Illinois has become the 3rd state to enact such a policy, following the lead of Washington and California.

This legislation is effective immediately.