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After repeatedly saying he wouldn’t fulfill his commitment, Mayor Johnson now prepares to ask city council for $70 million in additional migrant funding

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Illinois

* Mary Ann Ahern tipped us to this yesterday…

* Justin Laurence and Leigh Giangreco flesh it out…

Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to request an additional $70 million from the City Council to continue to house, feed and care for the tens of thousands of migrants being transported to the city through the rest of the year. […]

Johnson’s position has changed in recent weeks, as members of his administration have told members of the City Council and other partners they were planning to make the $70 million request, according to sources familiar with the discussions. But the mayor’s office is aware a vote in the City Council could prove difficult as the city’s spending to care for asylum seekers has split the body for months.

Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, who chairs the Budget Committee that would need to approve the funding, said “there’s a request forthcoming,” but he has not been briefed on the details.

“I don’t think it’s a slam dunk by any stretch of the imagination,” he said of the pending $70 million request. “There will definitely need to be a conversation around the issue as to ‘what’s the money for . . . or what are we doing in order to make this work.’ It just hasn’t gone through that deliberative process for anybody to make an educated decision on the matter.”

You cannot wish reality away. And the reality is, that money is needed.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 2:43 pm

Comments

At this point I can’t wait to vote this guy out on 2027

Comment by SouthSidePride Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 2:52 pm
If it’s still possible to do such a thing, ask Brandon Johnson directly about this and see if it sounds like he even knows what he was for or against in the first place. Because the only rationale I’ve been able to divine for most of his decision making over this past year is “willful ignorance.”

Comment by Roadrager Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 2:54 pm
I’ve been critical of the mayor but shifting gears, no matter how flip floppy it is—is the right thing to do

Comment by pragmatist Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 2:56 pm
==At this point I can’t wait to vote this guy out on 2027==

Considering the all-star lineups of candidates we’ve had in 2019 and 2023, I’d be very careful what one wishes for in that regard. It is downright plausible that Johnson will be completely underserving for reelection and the most qualified candidate for the job.

“No one wants to work here anymore,” but the “here” is the fifth floor of City Hall.

Comment by Roadrager Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 2:57 pm
We are supposed to believe in this administration to spend it properly?

Comment by Wowie Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 3:14 pm
Then again if you don’t like Mayor Johnson’s position on this just wait a few days and he’ll change it again

Comment by Wowie Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 3:16 pm
Mayor Johnson is not ready for prime time and does not actually want to be the Mayor.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 3:30 pm
== At this point I can’t wait to vote this guy out on 2027 ==

Same.

Comment by Northsider Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 3:32 pm
Now that the series is over, the press can make full use of the ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ song for MBJ’s press conferences. /S

Comment by Jocko Monday, Apr 8, 24 @ 5:00 pm