* Again, it’s time to give Oak Park the $8.7 million in grant money that was rejected by Joliet Township. CBS 2…

The Village of Oak Park is lending a helping hand for the migrant crisis in Chicago, agreeing Thursday night to house even more people.

The Oak Park Village Board on Thursday evening approved a measure to offer more support – to shelter asylum seekers as the weather gets colder. More churches in Oak Park are also heeding the call to action. […]

On Thursday, the Oak Park Village Board declared an emergency disaster resolution to ensure the migrants can stay longer. […]

The board voted unanimously to allocate $300,000 in response to the migrant crisis. Much of that will be used to provide language interpreters and medical services to the migrants already there.

Half of those funds will come from the village, the other half from grant money.

* Meanwhile…

https://t.co/c1z9YkKIVS HELLO IT'S ME AGAIN

Yesterday the mayor said they were "still assessing" the property at 38th and California, but I FOIA'd the city and it turns out they actually signed a contract **last week**

to rent it for $91,400/month

— Anthony Moser (@mosermusic) November 3, 2023

From the story…

Mayor Brandon Johnson was asked about the status of the site near 38th and California during a Wednesday news conference.

Johnson said the city was “still assessing. So I think this was raised before – there are a lot of environmental dynamics that have gone on in the city of Chicago that have gone unaddressed for a very long time.” […]

When pressed by NBC 5 Investigates Thursday about why Johnson did not mention the contract to reporters, a spokesman for the mayor said he did not address it because he was not specifically asked about it.

The lease specifies it’s being rented in “as-is” condition. Quite the gamble. And they haven’t even analyzed the environmental test results yet.

* And then…

NEW: Representatives of Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration tell participants in virtual community meeting requested by Ald. Julia Ramirez that they have yet to make a final decision on whether to build a base camp at 38th & California in Brighton Park. @WTTW

— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) November 3, 2023

*Facepalm*

* From Isabel…

* Sun-Times | City signs lease for site of potential Brighton Park migrant tent camp — leaving local alderperson ‘frustrated and disappointed’: In a community meeting Thursday night, a city official said the environmental assessment began last week and all the necessary samples had been collected. Test results were pending, said Deputy Mayor Lori Lypson. The city does not have a timeline for when the camp would open, Lypson said. It would host 500 families to start and potentially hold up to 2,000. If the site “is deemed viable,” Lypson said the tents would likely be there for 180 days. The lease also includes an option to renew for two additional six-month periods.

* ABC Chicago | Chicago City Council meeting on sanctuary city referendum spirals into chaos: “That is what is frustrating about the ‘debate,’ because people who are attacking the Sanctuary City Ordinance don’t know what they are talking about,” said Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa. “It has nothing to do with the refugee resettlement or the current crisis.” Ald. Ramirez Rosa said the Sanctuary City Ordinance only refers to law enforcement and government officials not cooperating with ICE. He said providing resources to migrants is about the city’s values; it’s not written in the ordinance.

* Crain’s | Chaos at City Council as Ald. Lopez attempts to take over meeting after lights turned off: Although the so-called Welcoming City ordinance does not impact whether or not the city chooses to provide shelter, food and care for asylum seekers, the supporters of the resolution are seeking to use the referendum to make clear to Mayor Brandon Johnson the city should reconsider how much money is spent to care for migrants if voters approve the measure.

* Sun-Times | In Washington, Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes for more federal help to deal with migrant crisis: The Biden White House isn’t backing $5 billion bid: It’s highly unlikely to happen, since the Biden administration is seeking nowhere near that figure. The White House is asking Congress to include $1.4 billion in supplemental funding to help migrants.

* AP | Volunteer medical students are trying to fill the health care gap for migrants in Chicago: The migrants’ health problems tend to be related to their journey or living in crowded conditions. Back and leg injuries from walking are common. Infections spread easily. Hygiene is an issue. There are few indoor bathrooms and outdoor portable toilets lack handwashing stations. Not many people carry their medical records. Most also have trauma, either from their homeland or from the journey itself.

* CBS Chicago | Chicago school launches winter supply drive for migrants in Rogers Park: “It’s been a little exciting to see them react,” said Vivian Solis, a family support specialist at Lake Shore Schools in Rogers Park. She has been working with migrant families since August 2022. The school has taken in as many as 50 migrant children to date, helping asylum seekers with childcare. With the recent dip in temperature, concerns are now growing for migrants.