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Roundup: Chicago City Council approves $51 million for migrant aid
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Tribune | City Council approves $51 million for migrants as officials scramble for more funds, point fingers: Moore, 17th, opened the discussion by urging a “No” vote because his majority-Black ward has suffered with dilapidated field houses and seniors becoming homeless because of long public housing waitlists. He argued that during his community needs to put its oxygen “mask” on first. “The soul of Chicago is somewhat on trial today regarding this ordinance. … People keep saying there’s enough to go around,” Moore said, quoting a common theme from Johnson’s inaugural address and mayoral campaign. “I heard that over and over. So let’s pass an ordinance where we see enough.” * WGN | Chicago City Council approves $51M aid for migrant care: The $51 million is money the city received from opioid and vapor court settlements. One alderperson said it would only last about two months. * CBS Chicago | City Council approves $51 million in funding for migrant housing amid raucous debate: While the shouting between supporters and opponents of the ordinance prompted Chicago police officers to remove several people from the crowd inside City Hall, the debate among aldermen was more measured, though often still passionate. […] Ald. Maria Hadden (49th), who voted for the funding, said the anger on display at Wednesday’s meeting was the result of decades of disinvestment in Black neighborhoods across the city. “A conflict is being created at a weak point in this city, and it’s frustrating because this weak point wouldn’t exist if our city hadn’t spent decades not serving Black residents,” she said. * Chicago Defender | City Council Votes to Spend $51 Million for City Asylum Seekers: A popular sentiment among people who oppose providing emergency housing to these new arrivals is what the city does for existing homeless people and struggling residents. That sentiment and more were expressed during a spirited Wednesday city council meeting with people opposed to the ordinance chanting, “No justice, no peace.” * WBEZ | Chicago City Council approves $51 million in aid for migrants after racially-heated debate: Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th Ward, has been one of the most outspoken and critical council members on the city’s handling of the migrant crisis. Her ward is home to a migrant shelter in a shuttered public school, and she has repeatedly complained of a lack of coordination from the city. Still, repeating the phrase “hurt people don’t hurt people” in a floor speech Wednesday, Taylor voted to pass the funding. “If my yes vote bothers you, then so be it … because hurt people don’t hurt people,” Taylor said to shouts of “she’s a traitor” from members of the crowd. * ABC Chicago | Chicago City Council approves $51M for migrant housing: The council also approved a permanent outdoor dining program, allowing restaurants to expand outdoors to sidewalks and even curb lanes, and in some cases entire streets, like in River North during the pandemic.
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- Nick - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 1:56 pm:
Apparently quite a bit of racial abuse and even crying during the meeting? Yikes.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 2:21 pm:
The whole reason Gov. Abbott did this is to divide people. What’s the response? Be divided. Why does the City deserve the DNC with this display?
- Steve - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:25 pm:
Chicago is a sanctuary city . A welcoming place for asylum seekers. Federal immigration law allows individuals seeking asylum to be here. If enough people want to change the law : it will be changed. Until then, asylum seekers have to right to work and go to public schools. Taxpayers will have to pay for this. The law is the law. Yes, there will be many challenges but it is what it is.
- Gravitas - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:37 pm:
It is worth remembering that Chicago first adopted its “Sanctuary City” policies while the late Harold Washington was mayor. The policies are not brand new despite the present controversy.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:44 pm:
Having watched the video from some of the community meetings (about the sites being considered to house the asylum seekers), I am disturbed by the words and behavior of some of our fellow residents. Particularly those from our black and brown communities. It is sad to see them perpetuate the bigotry that they themselves have and continue to suffer.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:51 pm:
===Provide these folks with benefits and of course they will migrate to Illinois. Providing the health card was a 500 million dollar self inflicted gunshot to the head===
The full quote was necessary to show the *imagery in context* is so awful to what ideal is being questioned.
Whew.
- Steve - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 3:54 pm:
-Provide these folks with benefits and of course they will migrate to Illinois-
Some areas of the country have more opportunities based on skill set and language ability. Certain factory jobs. Certain farm labor jobs. So, it will be interesting to see how Illinois can absorb asylum seekers. No doubt many businesses have job openings but many asylum seekers might not fit what they are looking for.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:23 pm:
==of course they will migrate to Illinois==
These people are being shipped here. It’s not a choice they are making.
- Steve - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:30 pm:
-These people are being shipped here-
Many have no friends or relatives or any financial support. They have no place to stay. Say what you want but Chicago has shown an incredible commitment when you consider asylum seekers are sleeping in a police station.
- Sue - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:50 pm:
Demoralized. - the choice they are making is happening every day as they cross the Southern border. Maybe you missed that part. In terms of Abbott “shipping them here”- not like Texas can retain the 2 million plus migrants Biden invited to come upon taking office
- Steve - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 4:55 pm:
Sue. Sadly, the current immigration laws have produced this outcome. Some asylum seekers have immigration court dates 10 years from now.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 5:02 pm:
==Maybe you missed that part==
My response was with regard to the notion that these people were choosing Illinois because of the “benefits.” Many of them don’t get the choice to sent here. So learn to read and comprehend. Also, you clearly have a partisan hack commentary to the situation.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, May 31, 23 @ 5:03 pm:
==Biden invited to come upon taking office==
And boy do you eat up those right wing talking points.
- Ward Heeler - Thursday, Jun 1, 23 @ 5:53 am:
Funneling reparation money from the black community to illegal migrants … well they already got your vote.. sorry no refunds.