* Fran Spielman…
Nearly 1,600 asylum seekers will be moved out of Chicago police stations “before the weather begins to shift and change” and into “winterized base camps” with massive tents, under a plan unveiled Thursday by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Johnson refused to say where the tent cities would be built, only that the city has identified suitable locations across the city. The tent structures he envisions could hold up to 1,000 migrants, though 500 or so was an “ideal scenario.”
During an abbreviated interview with the Sun-Times, the mayor offered no specifics on cost or funding as he described the broad outlines of a plan that includes “base camps” that would have meals as well as recreational and educational programming provided by Chicagoans as a way to reduce what he called the “exorbitant” costs now being paid to a private staffing agency. […]
Pressed repeatedly, Johnson did not rule out budget cuts or tax increases or both to pay for a burgeoning humanitarian crisis already costing Chicago upwards of $30 million-per-month.
But he acknowledged “sacrifices” will be required of the city he now leads and said the cost of not making those sacrifices would be far greater.
There’s more, including react, so click here to read the rest. It doesn’t look like at least some key city council allies were briefed.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:03 pm:
How about the 50 school buildings that were closed during the Emmanuel administration or some that currently 10% full?
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:07 pm:
Use what the Army and Air National Guard has already, these tents are environmentally controlled and there are packages for medical, hygiene and food service. This solves the immediate need.
My fear is these situations will start to look like internment camps so this has to be a temporary solution.
Leaving people idle in this situation will not be good either. Is there a plan for helping these people or just the standard lip service and shortcut solutions that makes things worse
- levivotedforjudy - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:37 pm:
It has really taken them this long to come up with this? Not a bad idea, just with the tent cities that have already been created by our native homeless people as examples, a little shocking it took until September.
- Mayo Sandwich - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:38 pm:
=== Is there a plan for helping these people or just the standard lip service and shortcut solutions that makes things worse?===
Ask Kevin McCarthy. Maybe the Speaker of the House should take a breather from Hunter Biden for a bit and appropriate some funds to fast track the work permits for these folks. Maybe change the time for the work permit.
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:38 pm:
It is ludicrous to house migrants in tent cities when shuttered schools are available for housing. Classrooms have divided spaces, bathrooms on each floor, office space and usually a gymnasium, library space and various rooms that could be used for facilitating work permits and ESL classes.
Did someone drop the decision makers on their head at some point as their planning seems very faulty?
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:39 pm:
This is a matter for the Federal Government to handle. Time for President Biden and Congress to step up.
- Sue - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:48 pm:
But our Homeland Security secretary keeps saying the Border is closed?
- Mayo Sandwich - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:51 pm:
=== But our Homeland Security secretary keeps saying the Border is closed?===
Yes it’s closed unless people are citizens, have green cards, have visas or are seeking asylum.
Next?
- Mr. Green Genes - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 5:54 pm:
“Classrooms have divided spaces, bathrooms on each floor, office space and usually a gymnasium, library space and various rooms that could be used for facilitating work permits and ESL classes.”
You think heating and bathrooms actually work in a building that has been abandoned for ten years?
- TinyDancer(FKSue) - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 6:02 pm:
This appears to be a national problem. They crossed the U.S. border.
I just don’t get how it’s fallen on the shoulders of states and cities to solve the problem and pay for all this.
- Amalia - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 7:12 pm:
wishing they could use buildings but many are in severe disrepair. this problem is not just on the U.S. from what I understand the majority of the migrants are coming from countries further South of Mexico. Is Mexico stepping up to help migrants or letting them pass through? there are HUGE cities in Mexico. and a language that is more easily understood. and what about relations with countries from which the migrants are leaving? what are we doing foreign policy wise on the issue. these tents will, apparently, do a fine job but for how long? and more will be sent to us. Are Texas and Florida sending migrants to Salt Lake City?
- 17% Solution - Thursday, Sep 7, 23 @ 9:23 pm:
== Take a breather from investigating millions of dollars in influence peddling?==
Oh brother.
What millions of dollars in influence peddling?
- granville - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 12:06 am:
@Mr. Green Genes: ==You think heating and bathrooms actually work in a building that has been abandoned for ten years?==
Yeah, in another life I used to do urban exploring with friends. You’d be shocked how quickly buildings fall apart without regular maintenance. After a decade there is zero chance that you can turn on the water and have it stay in the pipes, provided the actual pipes are even there anymore. Ducts and the entire site will be infested by pests. Vandalism is pretty much a given, so whatever you’re counting on being there for use (doors, fixtures, wiring, copper pipes) probably won’t be, not in any useable or in most cases reparable form. Unless the city has had an on-site staff regularly maintaining, securing and exterminating them, these buildings will be little more than empty shells, and not even good ones.
- Mayo Sandwich - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 5:34 am:
=== I thought Congress could multitask.===
Apparently not, since the ball is in their court and they haven’t done a thing.
- Huh? - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 10:30 am:
“I thought Congress could multitask”
Won’t go there. Not an Illinois topic.
- G'Kar - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 1:06 pm:
Right now the Biden Administration can and probably should do something to help with this issue. The Dept. of Homeland Security has the authority to grant “Temporary Protective Status” to those who have filled for asylum and are waiting for processing of their application. TPS will make it easier and quicker for holders to get documents to allow them to legally look for work.
- low level - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 1:29 pm:
==It doesn’t look like at least some key city council allies were briefed.==
Not good. Lack of communication w council members was one of the reasons Lightfoot failed. I thought the Mayor’s IGA team was better than this.
- Mister Ed - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 1:35 pm:
Illinois has several state-owned buildings that are sitting empty. Why can’t they utilize these around Illinois? Like Jacksonville Developmental Center.
- Shytown - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 3:54 pm:
If this is their best idea and solution, we’ve got some tough times ahead.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Sep 8, 23 @ 4:01 pm:
City-wide plans to handle a city problem needs a lift with allies on board to see a plan through.
I dunno if this plan has the support necessary, broad and deep, that a 5th Floor in the past could get to the execution part.
It’s worrisome to just the “how we do business” as an administration