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Oak Park actually wants to help asylum-seekers, so give it the money Joliet refused

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Illinois

* First, some background…

Suburban and downstate communities must address how to handle arriving immigrants amid a backlash that saw Joliet Township decline a state grant for migrants after angry residents said they opposed spending tax dollars on foreigners.

The state had announced earlier that the township would receive $8.6 million exclusively for asylum-seekers. The state also awarded $30 million for migrants in Chicago, $1 million to Elgin, $1 million to Lake County, $250,000 to Urbana downstate, and $150,000 to Oak Park.

Following a meeting this month attended by hundreds of residents, Joliet Township decided to withdraw its application for the grant.

* Unlike Joliet, Oak Park officials were upset at their low grant level…

To support services for migrants as they cross into town, Oak Park applied for a $7.5 million grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for housing, food and health care – among other critical needs – and had identified community partners to assist in these efforts.

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus accepted applications for grant awards for municipalities serving asylum seekers. But on Sept. 29, the village was notified it was warded only $150,000, a fraction of its initial request. […]

Village President Vicki Scaman called the awarded money “extremely disappointing” both in terms of the amount and the designated purpose. Her top priority, she said, is continuing to advocate for more funding from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

“We do already have a plan,” she said. “We don’t need a consultant. And the organizations that are currently aiding, they need the help now.”

* You may also remember this Oak Park story from late last month…

A west suburban church is calling on others to help after spending thousands of dollars in recent weeks to help migrants.

The Parish of St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles in Oak Park said they’ve opened up their doors for migrants to shower, dress and eat, and the bills have skyrocketed. […]

These shower days mean water bills, which used to be in the hundreds, have skyrocketed to close to $10,000. […]

The church is asking the village of Oak Park for assistance.

The village is trying to figure out how to free up grant money to do that.

* ABC 7…

“The problem does not start and end in Chicago. It extends elsewhere. We share that responsibility,” said community activist Betty Alzamora. “We have to step up to our collective responsibility as a good neighbor. Our area, starting with Oak Park and the neighboring municipalities, we are fortunate and blessed with lots for resources. Our borders are porous.” […[

In front of Oak Park Village Hall, some of the suburb’s residents are almost begging to help migrants.

“Oak Park has space. We should be welcoming to all these new folks that are coming,” said resident Derek Eder.

* Yesterday…

As air temperatures fell across Chicagoland this week and snow fell Tuesday, Oak Park officials announced that the village has helped over 100 migrants housed in camping-style tents outside a nearby Chicago police station to secure indoor shelter.

“The Village of Oak Park, under the authority of Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson, activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Wed., Nov. 1, putting in place established protocols in response to the evolving crisis involving asylum-seeking migrants and families in the community,’ village officials stated in a news released issued Wednesday afternoon.

The move comes amid increased urging from some residents for Oak Park village leaders to do more for migrants housed in tents at the 15th District Chicago Police Department station on Madison Street, right at the village’s border with the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and less than a mile from Oak Park Village Hall.

This seems like a no-brainer to me: The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus should give Oak Park what it originally requested.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:17 am

Comments

I think there may be someone of importance that represents Oak Park that can get that done.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:21 am
Calling Senator Harmon, calling Senator Harmon.

Comment by Edge Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:22 am
There are a lot of Illinois mayors that want people but the Mayor’s office has failed to provide political cover and messaging for those mayors. The mayor can’t even get aldermen on board and the communications team doesn’t answer emails. It is time JBP + team step in and show the rookies how you handle a crisis.

Comment by Send the Rookie Home Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:31 am
===There are a lot of Illinois mayors that want people but the Mayor’s office has failed to provide political cover===

That’s your take-away from this post? Seriously?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:35 am
First this…

===The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus should give Oak Park what it originally requested.===

… can’t agree more.

Second… where Joliet failed and Oak Park is succeeding in trying to be part of the solution is understanding that the commitment to the task can’t be undermined by false impressions to buy in or incomplete realizations of unity.

Two examples, hopefully more OPs and less Joilets

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:43 am
Good for them. That’s what integrity looks like.

As of next week, and with his replacement quickly chosen, a lack of integrity is why the Joliet city manager will no longer have his job.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:44 am
Kudos to Oak Park. I’m NW side Chicago and as far as I know there are no plans to locate migrants here. Every part of the city should be part of the solution.

Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:51 am
Senator Harmon, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

Comment by DuPage Dad Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:51 am
Good on Oak Park for stepping up and putting their money where their mouth is. Respect.\

It appears that all of the progressive talk around Chicago on so many topics is merely virtue signaling and not real based on how they have reacted to the migrant crisis. I will continue to say that this is a missed opportunity for Illinois until we have more Oak Parks.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 10:56 am
Good for Oak Park residents. It’s disappointing to see so many reject helping these migrant populations. What happened to the spirit of America as the welcoming home of immigrants? Millions across the globe want to be here, they aren’t going to stop coming, so let’s work on a solution to get them settled and integrated safely and with dignity.

“Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…
I lift my lamp beside the golden door”

Comment by Incandenza Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:02 am
Incandenza, the full stanza is more meaningful…

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:09 am
I do not understand where county governments are on this. Certainly Cook County has assets it could use. It is not all on individual cities or just Chicago. The county governments are getting a pass and are not being held accountable.

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:11 am
“It appears that all of the progressive talk around Chicago on so many topics is merely virtue signaling”

Slightly off topic, but this is one of the things I’ve worried about showing up for awhile. With the absolutely un-electability of republicans there are some terrible candidates getting through just by running as a (D). Unfortunately it won’t matter either, because the other choice is not acceptable at all.

A lack of serious Republican candidates also leads to a damaged Democratic party. Self-inflicted to be sure, but damage none the less.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:16 am
====Certainly Cook County has assets it could use. ====

DuPage, I believe Cook already has spoken with their wallet. And part of it is in Oak Park.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2023/9/22/23885526/cook-county-unhoused-suburban-hotels-oak-park-evanston

Cook County backs spending about $14 million to buy two suburban hotels for the unhoused
The county was already helping rent the former hotels in Evanston and Oak Park.

Comment by Been There Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:28 am
“The Parish of St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles in Oak Park said they’ve opened up their doors for migrants to shower, dress and eat”

The Catholic Parishes in Oak Park are stepping up in the faith by reaffirming that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and ensuring that care is shown to poor and vulnerable people. I have donated to them to help offset their service to those in need

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 11:28 am
An absolute pity that Joliet *township* couldn’t handle basic governance for the good of some truly wonderful service providers. I hope that Oak Park is able to retrieve those funds so that their orgs can be made whole and their plans can be realized. Winter is coming after all.

Comment by VK Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:00 pm
Where are the rural counties in all of this? Darren Bailey, what say you and your fellow parishioners?

Rural Illinois is being depopulated at an increasing rate. Why not get some of these folks top their counties, there is definitely housing and they can provide workers that they desperately need.

Chapin Rose, what say you brother?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:02 pm
The state is too used to making everyone jump through administrative hoops to get grant funding, which most local governments in our state aren’t equipped to properly apply for or manage. These local governments need a check to be cut.

Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:03 pm
==It appears that all of the progressive talk around Chicago on so many topics is merely virtue signaling and not real based on how they have reacted to the migrant crisis. ==

Chicago has reacted by feeding and housing people until they get their status approved or denied. I don’t see how it’s different than Denver or NYC or any other city. What are you expecting?

Comment by supplied_demand Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:06 pm
Oak Park stepping up through a collaborative approach, community advocacy, and transparency of action.
Joliet, one guy having a meeting, using other people’s names and stamp of approval without buy-in, talking down to the community that elected him, and hiding the whole thing until it boiled over in the end.

I know it’s government, but hopefully, it would be fairly easy for Oak Park to receive the grant designated for Joliet. Unless it is required to go back through all the channels right at the start?

Comment by Frida's boss Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:27 pm
It appears that all of the Conservative/Christian talk around the country on so many topics is merely virtue signaling and not based on how to react to the crisis at hand.

There, corrected it.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:33 pm
According to an article in the local paper, Good Shepherd Lutheran is also opening up for shelter. I think Good Shepherd is specifically housing the folks that the Village government is helping. People across the community are donating items and volunteering time as well. And, there was a news story of a woman in Oak Park opening her home to house folks as well. Really a proud moment for the government, congregations, and residents of Oak Park. More communities like this please!

Comment by Distant Viewer Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:35 pm
===I’m NW side Chicago and as far as I know there are no plans to locate migrants here. Every part of the city should be part of the solution.===

Same. There’s an unused marine reserves campus that I heard was being discussed, but nothing came of it. I say yes in my backyard.

Comment by Who else Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:44 pm
===I’m NW side Chicago and as far as I know there are no plans to locate migrants here===

Take a drive by your local police district headquarters.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 12:45 pm
= Senator Harmon, please pick up the white courtesy phone. =

I now have a mental picture of Harmon picking up the red phone and being told immediately, “no, the white phone”.

Comment by cover Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 2:07 pm
Having grown up in Oak Park, I’d reserves the attaboys until the Village actually delivers.

Oak Park loves it’s reputation as a progressive haven. It loves to preserve it’s reputation as a progressive haven. It’s reputation is always first and foremost. If the Village can preserve it’s reputation can be preserved without alienating those who pay egregiously high taxes, then that’s what the Village will do.

I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that the Village’s best-case-scenario is that they fail to deliver, but can say “at least we tried.”

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 2:37 pm
Throughout this I have been pondering how Mayors Daley and Emanuel would have handled things. Emanuel would have gone to his strengths, working D.C. and the private and philanthropic sectors in Chicago a lot more and a lot more effectively. I could easily envision Daley calling for a meeting of the IL Municipal League or calling other IL mayors directly. But to cut Johnson some slack, he hasn’t been in the job long.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 2:40 pm
==There’s an unused marine reserves campus that I heard was being discussed, but nothing came of it. I say yes in my backyard. ==

The city bought that land last month and plans to house 550 migrants once the heating and a/c are repaired. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/north-park-marine-corps-facility-migrant-shelter/

Comment by supplied_demand Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 2:47 pm
===The city bought that land last month===

They bought it in September and said it would be up and running in October. It’s now November.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 2:54 pm
=Having grown up in Oak Park, I’d reserves the attaboys until the Village actually delivers.

Oak Park loves it’s reputation as a progressive haven. It loves to preserve it’s reputation as a progressive haven. It’s reputation is always first and foremost. If the Village can preserve it’s reputation can be preserved without alienating those who pay egregiously high taxes, then that’s what the Village will do.

I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that the Village’s best-case-scenario is that they fail to deliver, but can say “at least we tried.”=

As someone who currently lives in Oak Park, all of the above is true. Would prefer it spend less on a multi-million dollar high school natatorium and more on tutoring those children in the village that are behind, etc., but they simply do not care about the latter despite always talking a great game.

Comment by ThePAMan Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 3:14 pm
As a long time Oak Parker that was raised in a swing state, OP is a classic performative liberalism town. As the PAMan says, they need to focus more on OP issues, including nuts and bolts issues like property maintenance, that desperately need their attention and less on the performative progressive stunts.

Comment by Another OPer Thursday, Nov 2, 23 @ 4:30 pm