CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois now has a new law that could protect undocumented immigrants from harassment by their landlords. Governor Pritzker signed legislation that prohibits landlords from questioning a tenants immigration status, threatening to report it as a way to retaliate against tenants, or intimidate them.

"As our xenophobic President stokes a climate of fear as Illinois stands up against him with our firewall, we will not stand by in silence," Pritzker said.

Elgin State Senator Christina Castro said some tenants are afraid to complain about unsafe conditions or deficiencies because of threats from a landlord. This isn’t the first time Castro’s bill made it to a governor’s desk. But last time, Bruce Rauner vetoed it. "Many people live with a constant worry that if they complain about unsafe housing conditions, a landlord might report them because of their immigrant status to authorities as retaliation for speaking up," Castro said. "This is essentially a form of blackmail." Governor Pritzker eagerly signed the legislation that his predecessor vetoed, saying “Where you were born has nothing to do with the ability to pay rent on time.”

This he said will always be a welcoming state.