According to Governor Pritzker, the city has not taken swift enough action to increase the availability of shelter for migrants.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized Chicago for being slow in providing shelter for migrants, stating that this is the reason why individuals are seen on the streets.
According to Pritzker, the state of Illinois has been providing aid and fulfilling its obligations.
“The city has been utilizing its own process for handling procedures, correct? And it has not been progressing swiftly enough,” stated Pritzker. “Therefore, we have thoroughly examined all data from the past 14 months to pinpoint the specific areas causing delays. Our resources are now being allocated to alleviate these obstacles, streamline the process for individuals, and accelerate the construction of shelters within the city.”
announced the funding for Chicago’s migrant crisis. His announcement came one day after
The budget proposal for 2024 by Mayor Johnson has been approved by the Chicago City Council, allotting $150 million for migrants.
There is only sufficient funding to cover a small portion of the projected expenses for the upcoming year.
Since August 2022, over 21,200 individuals seeking asylum have reached Chicago. According to city officials, there are currently 12,281 migrants residing in 25 shelters operated by the city, with an additional 1,831 staying at police stations and 572 at O’Hare International Airport until shelter space becomes available.
The governor announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services will allocate $160 million in surplus funds to assist Chicago in offering shelter and services to migrants. This amount will be divided among three separate programs.
The government plans to use $30 million to construct a sizable intake and reception facility for recently arrived immigrants. This will aid in streamlining the process of providing services to those seeking asylum and minimize the time it takes to find temporary and permanent housing.
Governor Pritzker announced that the state will provide assistance to asylum seekers who do not wish to remain in Chicago and help them reach their desired destination. According to state officials, this will result in a 10% decrease in the number of individuals staying in shelters, as they will be promptly relocated if they do not wish to remain in Chicago.
Adam Harrington
Source: cbsnews.com