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As asylum-seeking migrant influx continues, city says shelters are at max capacity, 600 in police stations

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* The City of Chicago sent a briefing to various government officials and others on Monday, June 26th. What follows are some excerpts, but click here for the whole thing…

Background

● Since August 31, 2022, Chicago has received more than 10,500 new arrivals.
● 25 Buses have arrived since May 9, 2023
○ 9 buses arrived from June 16-24.

Current Situation

● To date, the City has 4,962 individuals in our shelter system.
● City shelters are at max capacity. CPD has experienced an increase in new arrivals waiting for shelter placement at CPD district stations.
● Approximately 600 individuals spread across police districts.
● Last bus arrived today at 10AM from Brownsville, TX carrying 50 passengers.

In motion

● Standing Up Large Sites
○ Since the last meeting the City opened three temporary shelters: Daley, Wright, and Gage Park.
○ The city is exploring other sites and engaging with Alderpeople and community in the process.
○ Challenge: Number of people arriving to Chicago is continuous and impacts space availability

Expanding Staff Capacity

● CBOs wrap-around case management at shelters; soft launch this week
● CBOs support at Police District stations
● In motion: Running volunteer program proposal by the Department of Human Resources and Office of Inspector General
● In motion: Conversations with Greater Chicago Food Depository and Open Kitchens

Aligning City, County, State, and Federal Efforts

● Ongoing communication and coordination with the State to stand up additional
support inside shelters
● FEMA announced the first tranche of Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding on Monday, June 12, 2023.
○ The City of Chicago was announced to receive just over $10.5 Million on 6/12/23.
○ The State of Illinois was announced to receive $19.3 Million on 6/12/23.
● Met with the IL Federal Delegation on June 26, 2023
○ Exploring federal demands ( i.e. work permits and federal grants)

Aldermanic Engagement

● Aldermanic weekly briefing
● Immigration Committee Meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 11:00 AM, called by Committee Chair Alderman Vasquez
○ First committee meeting will focus on city’s response. There will be consequent meetings scheduled monthly.

Communication with Mutual Aid Networks

● Weekly meetings with mutual aid volunteers
○ Purpose: Keep a line of communication open and work through feedback
● Ongoing communication about activity at Police District stations and shelter
● Coordination to support cases that require immediate medical attention
● Answering to inquiries as they come up

Resettlement Efforts

• 388 leases signed as of June 26th
• 137 moved into permanent housing as of June 26th

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 11:24 am

Comments

It was easy to brag that you were a sanctuary city when the crisis was thousands of miles away at the southern border.. time to stand up now libs.. I think the Progressive caucus should tonight all their campaign funds for housing.

Comment by NotRich Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 11:34 am
Donate

Comment by NotRich Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 11:40 am
The city of Chicago needs to put these people on buses to central and southern Illinois. We’ve plenty of jobs, housing, and opportunity for people looking for a permanent home. This is how the slow death of small towns could be stopped.

Comment by Papa2008 Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 11:44 am
=== We’ve plenty of jobs===

Federal law doesn’t allow them to work. Try to keep up here.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:07 pm
Why can’t they put beds in McCormick Place like they did during the early months of the pandemic?

Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:08 pm
Big Dipper, because McCormick Place is being used for conventions, which was not the case when things were shut down because of the pandemic.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:12 pm
Perhaps Hyatt Hotels could donate rooms.

Comment by SOIL M Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:13 pm
Juice, did not know they are now fully booked. Props to them I guess.

Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:19 pm
“It was easy to brag that you were a sanctuary city when the crisis was thousands of miles away at the southern border.. time to stand up now libs”

Did you read the list of actions that have been taken/are being taken to support migrants? That’s what standing up looks like. It is certainly far from perfect, but it’s a sincere effort to support the people arriving in Chicago without demonizing them/making them the enemy.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:26 pm
Billions of dollars to house asylum seekers but not a dime to speed up the asylum process.

Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:36 pm
== but not a dime to speed up the asylum process.==

If the timelines being currently reported are correct it seems like they should be hiring more immigration judges. I’m sure plenty of attorneys would be eager to be any kind of judge.

Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 12:47 pm
This is what needs to be rectified:

Federal law doesn’t allow them to work

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 1:36 pm
“plenty of jobs”

Sadly, the economics of this is that housecleaning and yard work are going to be very cheap.
I lived in California for years where they think that’s normal.

Comment by 40,000 ft Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:24 pm
My favorite story in the Bible is the one where Jesus puts a bunch of immigrants on mules and sends them off to die in the desert.

This must be where cons learned this from.

Well thankfully Chicago is a Christian city and spreading the Good News by being welcoming like the Main Jesus taught.

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 2:45 pm