Governor JB Pritzker outlines plans for migrant intake center, funds for shelter
IL will invest additional $160M
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Even though the number of buses coming to Chicago with Asylum seekers has slowed in recent weeks, with winter weather just around the corner Governor JB Pritzker said there was an urgency to act now.
Thursday he announced a three-tiered plan that starts with better addressing the migrants' very first needs.
"To address this, we're investing $30 million to establish a large intake center, growing the city's capacity to centrally welcome and comprehensively coordinate new arrivals," said Pritzker.
RELATED: Chicago migrants will have 60-day limit to shelter stays, Mayor Johnson announces
The next phase provides $65 million to assist the city in setting up a tent base camp to houses 2000 migrants. It would be similar to these in New York City and would be in addition to ones Chicago is already planning.
Baltazar Enriquez is President of the Little Village Community Center which has been helping the new arrivals.
"What we are very concerned is how is it going to be done and is it going to be done where we actually see the people being removed from the police stations, where we no longer seeing families staying in the streets," said Baltazar. "Then we can say good job."
The final part of the governor's plan provides another $65 million for other services including helping 11,000 eligible migrants apply for and get expedited work permits so they can get housing more suitable than tents.
New Life Center is one of the organizations that will be working with the state to help the migrants.
"We must rise above politics and division and come together," said Matt DeMateo, New Life Center CEO. "Since the first bus has arrived, a collaborative effort between your city, county state and community based organizations has come together to welcome new arrivals."
The governor said one of the reasons the state is taking this action now, is because, in his words the city has not moved fast enough. Friday, Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to provide details of Chicago's new migrant plans.
Cook County is expected to announce plans for a new $90 million fund to help migrants, with $70 million going to healthcare and another $20 million going to suburbs willing to help in the migrant crisis.
