* Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) writes in the Tribune about asylum-seekers, housing issues and the 2024 Democratic National Convention…
The influx of new arrivals entering Chicago has not and will not break us, but what it has done is reveal to us what is already broken. The housing issue didn’t begin when the first bus was sent from Texas. Tens of thousands of housing-insecure people in Chicago have waited for an answer to this issue for decades, but a sufficient one hasn’t been provided. Even in our political platforms, we have roundly ignored the issues of housing for the poor. The parlance we’ve adopted has generally included only the “middle class” — promising them a better existence — and the “ultrawealthy” — asking them to pay their fair share. But in a country with 43 million people living below the poverty line, we can’t keep pretending that poor and unhoused people don’t exist. […]
The Constitution grants the federal government exclusive power to regulate immigration. The federal government also must deal with housing insecurity in America. These are federal issues. […]
As Democrats prepare to showcase our big, broad, diverse coalition to the world, in this big, broad, diverse city, there is an opportunity to deliver on the promises that are embedded in our platforms. Federal resources need to begin to flow immediately, and the convention should be the impetus to do that. But, if the federal government cannot adequately deal with the housing issue for tenured Chicagoans and our new arrivals, then Chicago and Illinois should be prepared to rescind the offer to host the DNC.
In the coming weeks, I will be working with the Rev. Michael Pfleger and a contingent of concerned Chicagoans from St. Sabina Catholic Church who share these concerns and have begun to mobilize behind them.
I realize this is a bold and unprecedented suggestion, but our situation is also unprecedented. And we must act with that in mind. I am excited about the DNC. I am voting for Joe Biden; I believe the future of our democracy depends on it. I am even running to be a convention delegate. I am elated about having three rock star Black women, Minyon Moore, Christy George and Keiana Barrett, in positions of power to execute this convention for a party under the leadership of its second elected Black chair and a presidential ticket with a Black woman returning as vice president. To me, this is all the more reason for the convention not to be just a party but also proof that the values we espouse matter. At this moment, the full weight of the federal government is required.
I would suggest that Rep. Buckner is not wrong. Your own thoughts?
…Adding… From Natalie Edelstein, the spokesperson for the host committee/convention…
“The Democratic National Convention provides an unparalleled opportunity to invest in communities across Chicago. Previous host cities have enjoyed major economic benefits––upwards of $150 million––in addition to supporting good-paying, local jobs. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the city, state, and federal levels to ensure a safe and successful event for all of Chicago’s residents and visiting attendees.”
- AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:09 am:
It’s a worthwhile threat to issue, but delivering on it would amount to cutting off the nose to spite the face.
Our City has had its reputation beaten and beleaguered; we could use a national stage that reflects its better half.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:11 am:
===we could use a national stage that reflects its better half===
Not if Texas is gonna flood the city with thousands more asylum-seekers. I really believe this is the only way to get Joe Biden’s attention.
- Herbflus - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:14 am:
No one forced Chicago to bid for the convention. At this stage, a contract has been signed and it’s binding.
- Charles Edward Cheese - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:15 am:
I overall agree with Rep. Buckner, we need federal intervention and support and asking nicely does not seem to be working. That said Gov. Abbott’s (horrifically inhumane) stunt seems to have worked to perfection. It’s highlighting the inequalities existing in current democratic cities, creating a wedge issue, and is causing some friction between state and federal Dems.
- Nagidam - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:18 am:
Go big or go home. The reality is the federal government better do something about this crisis or they will be made a laughingstock during the convention when the immigrants coming to Chicago increase ten-fold.
- Formerly Unemployed - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:19 am:
He ran for mayor, but the powers that be thought he wasn’t ready. Instead, they supported Brandon Johnson.
- LastModDemStanding - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:24 am:
Rep Buckner isn’t wrong, though the DNC cancellation isn’t going to happen. One of the solutions is controlling the border. I’ll get harassed for stating this, but the point of the political stunt by Gov Abbott is to showcase the issue of an uncontrollable influx of migrants at the Southern border, many of whom are untracked, and are deportable with no real claims to asylum. Which is working. If the city of Chicago is given $30 million dollars tomorrow, what solutions can be put into place to affect housing shortage? There’s hundreds of millions in the CHA fund, vacant property and yet no housing for the unhoused. The issues of housing shortage and high volume of immigration are related, but let’s not act like Chicago has been great on the housing issue.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:34 am:
Buckner has some good points, but my guess is that it’s too late to change the location of the convention.
- Drury's Missing Clock - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:42 am:
Comes across as self-promotion rather than a real solution to help the migrants, especially if he hasn’t dropped his run for delegate.
Pritzker and Johnson both seem to be asking the White House to take a role in how migrants are distributed between states as they initially cross the border into the country, but nobody seems to be acknowledging how politically unreasonable that would be for Biden.
- MadManMad - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:43 am:
I agree, in part. Especially with all of the information that has been recently coming out about CHA. Why should the feds step in when Chicago itself isn’t doing anything to battle housing insecurity?
- vern - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:45 am:
This is a frustrating situation for state and local policymakers, so I get the urge to lash out. And I would like to see Biden act with a lot more alarm on this issue.
But the proximate cause of Chicago’s problems with asylees comes from Greg Abbott. Texas has consistently acted in bad faith, refusing to coordinate with anyone. I understand that Pritzker published a letter in the Dallas Morning News “appealing to Abbott’s humanity.” Unsurprisingly, that had no effect. I don’t know that Abbott even responded.
It is long past time that someone retaliate against Abbott and Texas. Abbott’s stated policy here is to make Chicagoans and asylees feel pain. He’s bullying us, and bullies only understand one language. We have to find some kind of chin music to throw at him.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:46 am:
==the federal government better do something about this crisis==
In this political climate? You have to be kidding. We cannot even reach a consensus on supporting Ukraine which, in my opinion, is a no-brainer.
Remember when the ultra-wealthy engaged in philanthropy? Now they’re building elaborate bunkers (Zuckerberg) or going to space (Bezos, Musk). They’ve completely checked out.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:48 am:
===We have to find some kind of chin music to throw at him. ===
What they’ve tried so far (cracking down on the bus companies) has made the situation worse.
He appears to be operating within federal law, since nobody has shown otherwise.
So, if you’ve got a sound idea beyond raging on your porch into the cold wind and freezing rain, let’s hear it. Otherwise, it’s time to try something else.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:52 am:
=He ran for mayor, but the powers that be thought he wasn’t ready. Instead, they supported Brandon Johnson.=
I voted for Kam in round 1. And I agree with him here.
- Sycophantic averse - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 10:56 am:
“so I get the urge to lash out”
Kam’s doing a lot of things here, but he’s not lashing out. It takes a lot of fortitude to call for the cancellation of a signature event because our own house isn’t in order.
Kam’s also doing the DNC a favor here, if you ask me. I doubt they have a true sense of how bad conditions are on the ground, and this is a pretty nice little wakeup call.
- Original Rambler - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:01 am:
I like KB and he got my first round vote but this is just grandstanding. It also presumes that Biden can tackle this without Congress. I believe that is incorrect. The more Dems publicize stunts like this, the more it promotes the fallacy that the lack of funding is all on Biden. It plays into the GOP’s hand.
I agree that Abbott’s stunt has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. I pray the Senate initiative succeeds.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:07 am:
===It also presumes that Biden can tackle this without Congress. I believe that is incorrect.===
I agree. With due respect to Rep. Buckner, this seems like a circular firing squad move to me. There is no money faucet the president can turn on to solve these problems.
- Annon'in - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:08 am:
Seems like one thing has nothing to do with the other. A clearer thought is that the DNC offers a national spotlight to (a) showcase what has been done for migrants and other urban issues, and (b) urge America to elect more Ds who are better equipted to solve the problem.
BTW did we mention that “conventions” are generally anachronistic dinosaurs that should be done with.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:08 am:
Oh, if it were so simple for Biden to waive a magic wand and solve the problem. Right now, the “Federal” government depends upon a split congress to provide funding and the necessary authority to address the problem. The MAGA GOP (especially, the House caucus) wants to use the issue for propaganda, so they don’t want to provide effective solutions.
- TNR - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:13 am:
When Chicago first entered a bid for the convention, my gut feeling was it’s probably not worth the trouble. Now, I’m absolutely convinced that the chances of the convention being a public relations disaster for the city, the mayor, and even the governor are much greater than the chances of it being a net positive.
I’m with Kam. Let’s try to get Biden and the feds to minimize some of that exposure. If they don’t, we should bail.
- Chambanalyst - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:22 am:
It’s a nice thought to ask for something real to be done about it. But the precedent has already been set - San Francisco cleaned up when Xi Jinping came to town. My guess is that folks will just be corralled elsewhere out of sight until the DNC goes away just like they were in SF.
- DeeLay - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:23 am:
The response to Abbott has always been asking the Biden admin to move federal dollars from Texas to Illinois. Even if they can’t move it, slowing the federal dollars flowing in would impact them since they don’t need it.
Shame hasn’t worked. Working the Catholic Charities angle hasn’t worked. Bus enforcement could work, but it’s in the courts now.
JB needs to rise to the level of evil, unfortunately.
- Chicago Voter - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:23 am:
City Council shouldn’t be let off the hook so easily.
If it’s housing that we need in Chicago, there is plenty Chicago’s City Council can and ought to do.
KB’s OpEd is right on housing as the demand; connecting it to the DNC might be seen as leverage by some but I bet not by JB or Biden.
Meanwhile, we have a very real 60 day eviction coming up and no real opposition stated by any city council members when we know this will increase precarity. It’s a choice the city doesn’t have to make. I’d like to see/hear more about that from local stakeholders instead of diffusion.
- HarveyGuy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:33 am:
The 60 day evictions and this letter are only helping Biden pass the legislation for dissolving immigration policies in exchange for Ukraine and Israel funds, which he is desperate for.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:34 am:
Chicago should have used the recent cold weather to offer migrants the opportunity to move to warmer weather.
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:34 am:
The reason we lack a comprehensive federal response to the migrant crisis is due to the MAGA US House GOP and their defacto leader Donald Trump, who has literally said publicly that he does not want to see a resolution while Biden is President. Duh.
Rep. Buckner’s playing right into the Republican hands. Stoking party in-fighting and blaming it all on President Biden.
Also, he’s calling for something that is never going to happen. It’s not statesmanlike, it’s not serious. It’s self-serving and self-promoting - and it demonstrates he also wasn’t ready to step up to the big chair of mayor.
- dowtown - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:35 am:
was just driving in the loop, raining, bad traffic. Cut over near the old standard club. Not sure what they were doing, but a lot of well dressed young migrant men hanging around under the tracks. and it was raining. I can only imagine heart of summer, with tens of thousands of more people. need to get creative, farm workers, start training them, work permits , etc. threat of the DNC should get things moving!! I like the tactic.
- Chicago Voter - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:46 am:
Agree, HarveyGuy.
Mayor Johnson has been out saying “the country is at stake” and we need more federal help.
Biden will take that and move to the right by stopping the flow of asylum seekers at the border altogether.
Chicago is being asked to go along with this idea; it’s a red herring.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:50 am:
I am with Norseman 100%. The gop doesn’t want solutions, hence trump railing on the passage of a compromise board bill. They want grievances which is all they are about nationally or at the state level. So I agree that immigration is a federal issue I do not agree that homelessness is.
The federal government is not there to fix everything. It is not there to raise everyone cradle to grave. The homeless issue is multifaceted and regionally diverse. Chicago democrats have an insatiable desire for funding from everyone but themselves and that is what Buckner really wants in my estimation.
=Otherwise, it’s time to try something else.=
One, ILDP needs top pull itself together. The infighting and arguing is EXACTLY what abbott wanted. Every state has issues, we know we have ours and now he is exporting a texas issue to Illinois. I see two paths to a solution here. 1 path is to export one of our problems to Texas. Fun, but impractical.
The other is to get our act together, quit all of the infighting and address our new comers like patriotic Americans should. We are a state with resources and smart people. We have wasted so much time on tent cities we need to use our power to find reasonable shelter and then begin the plan to get people job permits and move them to places that need workers. Rural illinois is desperate and has plenty of housing for sale. Our small and medium sized cities are especially in need of workers. Then get them on a path to citizenship. Yes, this will cost money but it is an investment in future tax revenue when these folks get to work and become great Americans. There are obviously more moving parts here, but if someone as dumb as I am can get this idea together, the really smart people can make it happen.
=tenured Chicagoans=
A dumb statement from a smart guy.
One thing I learned in three decades (now going on four) of public services is that when people are coming after you or attacking you, never let them see it get to you. Ever. Johnson, Buckner, and the rest of Chicago let abbott have quite a show. SUck it up and get to work. Grinders win, every time.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:59 am:
===never let them see it get to you===
Totally agree, but it’s a bit late for that now.
- Incandenza - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 12:19 pm:
== have waited for an answer to this issue for decades, but a sufficient one hasn’t been provided. ==
This has been answered, in part, and that answer is allow more housing to be built. Remove unnecessary zoning that restricts where apartments can be build. Prices are directly related to supply and demand, and only juicing demand alone will never solve the price issue: you need to also expand the supply of housing. The Aldermanic privilege is one major stumbling block to building new housing, as is exclusionary zoning that only allows single-family homes (75% of Chicago’s land is SFH only).
Minneapolis has removed their restrictive zoning, and have seen the most stable rent prices of any large metro area in the nation.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 12:38 pm:
- There is no money faucet the president can turn on to solve these problems -
The h@%l there isn’t, it’s the federal government. I’ll never understand why political types view the government as helpless.
At the very least give these people work authorizations and let them help themselves.
- Red headed step child - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 12:42 pm:
Sorry but I have not heard one ” leader” come up with a solution or her then ” we need more money”. Furthermore, johnson needs to stop the ” mission ” talk and bad mouth abbot, but once again, what’s,they aolution? Keeping them all in El paso isn’t going to work.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:01 pm:
When warm weather is back, a lot of “casual”(off the books) work will return. Non-union contractors need workers for remodeling construction laborers, landscaping and agricultural jobs. If they want to work, they will be able to. Until then, they still need shelters and food.
- Original Rambler - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:03 pm:
EB, the “federal government” is more than Biden. As has been accurately pointed out here, there is an overly influential part of the GOP (Freedom Caucus) that will not agree to any border deal, ANY border deal, to embarrass Biden. That is why Biden is “helpless” here. KB just playing into their hands.
I agree with you about expedited work authorizations.
- chambana - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:06 pm:
Are there actually federal resources that the Biden administration can release without needing approval of Congress? If so, definitely enumerate those and push for them. But otherwise, increasing pressure from the left is exactly what Abbott and the GOP want. They would love to see a rescinded convention and the DNC thrown into chaos; it would feed into their narrative that Dems can’t control the issue and help their candidates in November. Do we think Chicago or Illinois will get a better deal from a Republican administration?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:07 pm:
===That is why Biden is “helpless” here===
Great bumper sticker you got there.
- LastModDemStanding - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:08 pm:
“I agree with you about expedited work authorizations.”
Work permits are being expedited, the state clinics are happening every single day since November and literally have USCIS ON SITE to process. That has never happened before and it’s a huge deal and win for the Governor and Senators. Again, maybe the conversation should be why the City didn’t implement this program in June (or have conversations) or do anything to help the crisis besides point fingers and burn money.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:19 pm:
“I really believe this is the only way to get Joe Biden’s attention.”
The Biden strategy on immigration is to hide from it until after November. That’s going to blow up in his face when Abbott sends a convoy to drop off hundreds of people directly at the United Center. It definitely won’t help if he faces criticism from local Dem leaders at the convention (it sounds ridiculous, but things can get that bad to force that hand by then).
Good on Rep. Buckner for being public about it and not just complaining privately. As a State Rep., he could absolutely be hiding under a rock on this issue (as many of his colleagues are). But stepping up is what he does and I really hope he has the opportunity to serve in a leadership role for the City one day.
- Earl Hickey - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:30 pm:
Why not dip into the Rainy Day Fund and use the money to rent apartments and homes in the Chicago Metro Area . I am sure there are enough vacant and available residences in the Six County Chicago Metro Area for the 35,000 migrants and many of the homeless. Doesn’t the current situation and the looming DNC qualify as an Emergency situation ? Isn’t that what the RDF is for?
- Nancy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:35 pm:
The Gaza protesters are going to make the 1968 DNC look like a walk in the park. No law enforcement combined with paid advocates will create a significant level of chaos, all broadcast on national TV.
- Hannibal Lecter - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:47 pm:
=== Doesn’t the current situation and the looming DNC qualify as an Emergency situation ? Isn’t that what the RDF is for? ===
No it is for establishing budgetary stability. If you want the ratings agencies to revert back to credit downgrades, please use the rainy day fund for more unsustainable spending.
- Hello There - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 1:54 pm:
Rep. Buckner would have been a better mayor.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 2:11 pm:
oh that just sounds petulant. yes, it is true that something has to happen. going to the extreme is embarrassing everyone and not a negotiating move to get things Chicago should get. not helpful.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 2:37 pm:
- EB, the “federal government” is more than Biden. -
If you think there are no tools at Biden’s disposal that could help alleviate this issue then please spare me lectures about the branches of our government. You’re clearly not qualified to give them.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 3:06 pm:
I appreciate what Kam is saying, but c’mon. These are not related to one another. The feds should be doing something to support cities struggling with the influx of migrants regardless of whether the convention is here or not, but rescinding the convention is just PR.
I think he and Conway are starting the race for Chicago’s next mayor a little too early.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 3:23 pm:
=These are not related to one another. =
They will be later this year when the convention is going on while the city is flooded with exponentially more migrants
- Original Rambler - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 3:31 pm:
Educate me. What are they? Looking forward to your response. You are accurate that I am not qualified to give them because I do not know what they are. I have yet to see any enumerated in my reading on the topic.
- Jerry - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 3:46 pm:
The last businessman/”president” built a wall and had another country pay for it. Thats what he said he’d do. You mean it didnt happen? Another country wont build a wall just because we “said so”. I’ve never heard of that before.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 4:19 pm:
I appreciate Rep. Buckner saying this.
A lot of other people seem to be working a lot harder on making and getting onto guest lists than governing right now. A lot of them sound like commenters here claiming that there’s just nothing that POTUS, famously the least powerful man in the world, can do about either this issue or Gaza.
- Vote Quimby - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 4:57 pm:
As a wagering man, I’m wondering what the over-under is on the number of blocks around the United Center where any bus will be prohibited.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 5:45 pm:
- POTUS, famously the least powerful man in the world -
As Oswego Willy would say, restaurant quality.
- Surge voter - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 6:46 pm:
I can’t decide if Rep Buckner is grandstanding, ignorant or just plain clueless.
We are devoting way too much time commenting on his “plan”. Geez
- bleacher seats - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 7:47 pm:
What’s Eric Adams gonna say if Brandon gets some big gov bucks to save face for the dnc?
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 7:53 pm:
- What’s Eric Adams gonna say -
Who cares? Are you under the impression Adam’s has some kind of stroke in the Democratic Party?
He probably needs to worry more about his potential legal troubles.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 23, 24 @ 11:14 pm:
===We are devoting way too much time ===
And yet you read the post, read the comments and then commented.