For over a year, migrants are being sent to sanctuary cities to provide a home for them. Chicago being one of them. In fact, the entire state of Illinois classifies as an asylum state. With the recent activity that has been going on, many migrants have been sleeping at airports and police stations, not really having designated shelters. With that being said, the city of Chicago is planning on opening three new shelters.
The New Shelters
As of recent, the city has announced that there will be three new shelters opening. This will provide housing for migrants continuously coming from the Southern border. The three shelters reside on the South Side, North Side, and West Side.
Furthermore, the South Side shelter is within the Kenwood neighborhood, the Lake Shore Hotel at 4900B S. Lake Shore Drive. According to local Ald. Desmon Yancy of the 5th Ward, this shelter has the expectation to open up as soon as this week. Yancy first became aware of the opening last Monday. Now there is no clarity in regard to whether the shelter is for families or singles. Yancy estimates that the capacity of people could fit approximately 300 people.
In addition to that, the North Side shelter is located in North Park at 3034 West Foster Avenue. This shelter is an old United States Marine Corps facility. The city’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate approve for the building to be a temporary shelter to house migrants. Not only is this going to be a shelter but Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th) hopes to add an early childhood learning center and make the riverfront parkland more accessible to the community. The shelter would house about 550 people.
Now the West Side shelter is located in Greektown at the Parthenon Guest House, 310 Halsted Street. This building has been previously used as a migrant shelter from October 2022 to February of this year. It will reopen on September 15, housing nearly 200 migrants possibly all the way through June 2024. Ald. Bill Conway of 34th Ward wasn’t initially aware of the reopening until the last minute.
Community Pushback
Although this is wonderful news to hear, this approach is simply a small solution to a bigger problem. Many people, mainly the community and alderpersons, have concerns in regard to opening of these shelters and the migrant crisis in general. For instance, Ald. David Moore (17th) calls for a more in-depth and clearer plan on how the city is going to handle the migrant crisis. “Give it to us in writing….then I won’t have this issue” he said.
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) inquires for more details about the costs for running the shelters as well as a plan on how these spaces will used in the future. “I know we are trying to alleviate those police stations, but how will this be used for the community afterwards?” she asks.
Not only do the alderpersons have concerns but so does the community where these shelters are located. On Wednesday night a community meeting was held at the Merit School of Music, where community members of Greektown expressed their concerns.
Jamie Brown, a member of the Central (1st) Police District Council, communicates his grievance about the capacity of the hostel considering the fact that there are currently 136 within the establishment. Meaning the building will be over capacity by 30 people, if the city moves forward with the opening. Other residents have the same concern about possible overcrowding in the shelter.
The concerns of both the politicians and public should not be ignored and answered. The city has yet to respond to these comments.
The Road to Resolutions
With all the concerns, pushback, and lack of clarity, it begs the questions. What is the plan? What are some solutions to help the migrant crisis? How is it going to be executed? Well here are some possible resolutions to this crisis.
For starters, funding from the federal government would be an immense help. Chicago and other metropolises are the main regions experiencing migrant influx. Mayor Brandon Johnson stated, “The city of Chicago cannot go on welcoming new arrivals safely and capably without significant support and immigration policy changes.” Another solution is creating a new city department for immigrant affairs that can hopefully band together city agencies and civic leaders to solve this issue and steer things smoothly in the aftermath.
Lastly, a more direct approach to this dilemma is Mayor Johnson consulting with his team and city leaders to create a clear and precise plan on handling the migrant influx, while keeping the public in the know and acknowledge any feedback or concerns.
Whichever solution is chosen or created, may it be productive for the public’s well-being.
Written By Saniya Fields
Sources
Chicago Sun-Times: City moves to authorize two new migrant shelters, but what’s the plan beyond that? by CST Editorial Board
Chicago Sun-Times: New South Side, North Side migrant shelters planned as crisis intensifies at police stations by Micheal Loria
Block Club Chicago: Greektown Migrant Shelter Opening Delayed A Week As Neighbors Discuss Safety Plans by Melody Mercado
Block Club Chicago: Greektown Hostel Set To Become Migrant Shelter This Week, Alderman Says by Melody Mercado
Top and featured image Courtesy of Jeramey Jannene’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset image Courtesy of Tony Webster’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
