* The mayor broke the seal…
* Media alert from the governor’s office a bit ago…
Tomorrow morning Governor Pritzker will hold a press conference to announce the state’s next steps in managing the asylum seeker crisis. In advance of the presser, we are offering an embargoed background briefing at 9 AM with Acting IDHS Secretary Dulce Quintero, Associate Secretary for Early Childhood, Family & Community Kirstin Chernawsky, and Governor’s Office staff to provide more in-depth background to members of the media.
From what I’ve been hearing, this has more to do with programs than money, but money will be a part of it.
…Adding… Johnson talked a little about the state’s approach…
They know that we have to clear out these police districts, we’ve got to get people who are sleeping outside, indoors. And we have to create work authorization in an expedited way so that these [migrants] can contribute to the economy. And also creating a village in the community so that when other migrants, or asylum seekers arrive that there’s a community to receive them.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
…Adding… The mayor said earlier in the press conference that there would be a new “landing zone” or “entry point” for migrants. “I am grateful that the county and the state have heard our advocacy and their commitment to fund this mission.”
…Adding… More from the mayor…
On the front end, you know, we have to make sure that we are setting up these newly arrivals with the best opportunity to be successful. On the back end, part of the investments that the state will be providing is to expand a more expedited process for them to be resettled.
Also…
…Adding… Update…
- ELP-ORD - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 4:00 pm:
Is it a state takeover of Chicago?
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 4:06 pm:
The state is already offering all of the wrap-around services from a human services stand-point. The city is “handling” case management and housing. Hopefully this is something new with the state/county getting involved with the housing debacle and not just more of the same with window dressing.
- George - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 4:12 pm:
Maybe they SoS can set up an appointment process and IDFPR can handle processing. That should expedite things.
- Chicago Voter - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 4:36 pm:
The State prefers centralized welcoming centers to the haphazard approach that Chicago has taken.
Perhaps, routing people through one centralized system before assigning them to a shelter is the approach the State can take where, for whatever reason, the city did not.
- Frida’s boss - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 4:59 pm:
Time for the adults to handle the problem. The city should have been consulting and partnering with JB and Toni months ago.
Still not ready for prime time.
- levivotedforjudy - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 5:04 pm:
I’m glad this is happening, but this looks like a “Thank you Toni and JB on doing my job for me by coming up with a plan” situation. Instead of just asking for $$$ maybe my mayor should have asked if they could put their heads together on a plan first. Yeesh!
- Is It Over Now? - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 5:13 pm:
Messily dropping a portion of this news the day before the State and County are planning to speak about a full plan: Can this mayoral admin go a day without alienating would-be allies or sticking a foot in their collective mouth?
- DisappointedVoter - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 5:19 pm:
Better late than never
- Interested cook countian - Wednesday, Nov 15, 23 @ 6:55 pm:
I say good for the Mayor. He’s not afraid to acknowledge the problem and his allies President Preckwinkle and Governor Pritzker are helping him. The previous mayor would just look for a fight with the 2 of them.. That is why they supported him ..working together to get logjams done. Give some credit where credit is due, all 3 of them working togther to solve a total cluster created by others.
- Who else - Thursday, Nov 16, 23 @ 8:12 am:
===I am grateful that the county and the state have heard our advocacy and their commitment to fund this mission===
This is baffling , and it’s a constant refrain from the city. There has been no cohesive advocacy for much of anything as far as I can tell. Hoping out loud is not the same thing as advocacy. The state response here seems more driven by the fact that its about to get very, very cold and the city continues to stand there looking around for someone else to step in an offer comprehensive direction. People will freeze to death, and that is bad. So the state will lay out the path that the city will take.
The quote would be more accurate it read: “I am grateful that the state is able to govern and provide structural direction during this crisis because unfortunately at this time, given the disarray of my staff and infighting in my office, we are unable to get a cohesive plan together.”