After extensive discussion the last two weeks, the Urbana City Council has approved a resolution reaffirming its ‘sanctuary city’ status. The 5-to-1 vote was met with sustained applause from roughly 50 people who filled the council chambers Monday night. The measure saw changes from the prior week, including language specifying that no city employee can request information about someone's citizenship unless required by court order.

The Urbana City Council will continue its discussion of a resolution affirming its status as a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants at next regular meeting on Monday, December 19th. But the talk at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday the 12th indicated a majority of council members support the resolution in some form.

With ongoing efforts at the University of Illinois and other colleges to declare themselves sanctuary campuses, US Senator Dick Durbin says he supports efforts to protect students who may have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visa – as long as they haven't committed a crime.