By: Diane Benjamin
The EIN number for The Immigration Project is 43-1700482
With that number you can look up how much the State of Illinois has paid them: https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/vendor-services/vendor-payments-new
This organization not only provides provides legal services to “immigrants”, they send out ICE warnings to their rapid response people. Taxpayers are funding the obstruction of federal law enforcement arrests of violent illegal aliens.
This is a list of payments JUST since 1/1/2026:
Total: $196,777.24
These are payments in just 6 weeks.
For the fiscal year, add another $288,194.95 paid from 8/1/2025 – to 12/31/2025.
That’s YOUR money. There will be more payments because the Illinois fiscal year isn’t over.
Total:
$484,972.19
Previous payments can be found using https://www.openthebooks.com/
Keep in mind the McLean County Chamber of Commerce gave The Immigration Project an Award in February: https://blnnews.com/2026/02/10/matejka-chamber-of-commerce-doing-comedy-now/
The Chamber either loves cheap labor or they love organizations existing only because of taxpayers.
I wonder which 🤔
I am deeply concerned about the relationship between the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and The Immigration Project, as it raises significant questions about alignment with business interests and federal priorities. While surface-level connections might appear limited to areas like philanthropy, workforce development, or visa programs (such as H-1B or H-2B), a closer examination reveals deeper implications for the Chamber’s direction and its commitment to the rule of law.
Historically, chambers of commerce have served as vital coalitions of businesses, pooling resources to advocate effectively with government entities on matters of commerce, trade, and economic growth. In McLean County, the Chamber functions as a key advocacy organization in the Bloomington-Normal area, dedicated to advancing member interests and fostering regional economic development. Its core mission is to support businesses at all stages—whether new, expanding, or facing challenges—while promoting policies that enhance prosperity within the county’s boundaries.
However, under recent leadership and administrative changes, the Chamber appears to have shifted its priorities in ways that merit scrutiny. This includes notable affiliations and recognitions, such as awarding The Immigration Project the 2025 Nonprofit Business Excellence Award. The Immigration Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995, provides immigration legal assistance, consultations, and support services to immigrants in Central and Southern Illinois, including efforts to advance “welcoming policies” like the Town of Normal’s 2018 ordinance. While these services aim to assist underserved populations, they can sometimes intersect with federal immigration enforcement in ways that prioritize immigrant advocacy over strict adherence to U.S. laws.
As a business advocacy group, the Chamber’s board must carefully consider whether such affiliations serve the interests of all members. In an era of heightened focus on border security and immigration compliance, supporting organizations that facilitate legal defenses against deportation or promote policies potentially at odds with federal directives could inadvertently undermine the rule of law. Federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) play a critical role in maintaining national security, public safety, and economic fairness by enforcing immigration statutes that protect American workers and businesses from unfair competition. Any perceived complicity or complacency in activities that challenge these efforts—such as through donations, partnerships, or public endorsements—risks associating the entire membership with positions that may not reflect their values or priorities.
To restore trust and alignment with its foundational principles, the Chamber’s board must disown its affiliation with The Immigration Project and publicly acknowledge the mistake in supporting initiatives that have enabled illegal immigration, including the Town of Normal’s open city policies and other Illinois state measures that contravene federal immigration laws. By doing so, the board can reaffirm its unwavering commitment to promoting business and commerce through ethical practices that uphold the rule of law, ensuring a stable environment where legal immigration supports economic growth without compromising national sovereignty or the interests of law-abiding members.
It is essential for the Chamber to reaffirm its commitment to ethical business practices, including full support for federal immigration enforcement. This ensures a level playing field for local enterprises, upholds the integrity of legal immigration pathways, and aligns with broader economic goals. I encourage the board to engage in transparent dialogue with members to evaluate these relationships and prioritize initiatives that strengthen, rather than potentially subvert, the enforcement of our nation’s laws.
This is written perfectly by Matthew18:6. Thank you! But how to get the Chamber of Commerce to CHANGE when they only have an ear open to the MINORITY of citizens (and our crazy liberal government) which loudly says to support such things? If the majority would SPEAK, we would not have this problem. But most are afraid to speak in this cancel culture era… or even too lazy to learn and understand our constitution and related laws for U.S. CITIZENS.
Members need to become ex-members
J.B. proposed a new tax slush fund for $200M supposedly for the schools. Wait, wasn’t the lottery money supposed to go to schools?
Now he wants to tax social media. They are bad actors influencing kids mentally and now they need more school help. They should pay for it. You mean like Facebook started and owned by a Democrat?
I swear if you gave these school districts $25 billion each they would still want more.