Illinois business leaders urge Kirk to back immigration

While Republican Sen. Mark Kirk says he is reviewing the immigration reform law coming before the U.S. Senate, Illinois business leaders are urging him to get behind the legislation.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports a group of CEOs wrote a letter urging Illinois’ congressional delegation to back a measure that would overhaul immigration. However, signers acknowledge they were specifically targeting Kirk.

Former Exelon CEO John Rowe says signers of the letter don’t know when Kirk will take a position on the legislation. However, Rowe says Kirk must put his shoulder behind the bill as “quickly as possible.”

Also pushing Kirk to commit to the legislation is former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. He says reform is not just about politics and the economy, but it is also a moral issue.