Cook County and the Illinois state government sent $250 million towards migrant aid in Chicago. This comes after 35,000 migrants immigrated to Chicago from Venezuela within the last six months. Chicago has been struggling to manage the crisis. Many of the shelters that Chicago created for this issue ended up being dirty, and unsafe. “Maria arrived at the former warehouse turned migrant shelter in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood about two months ago. In all, it’s been a dehumanizing experience. From frigid temperatures to dirty bathrooms and sometimes spoiled food, the living conditions have been horrible, she said,” according to Borderless.
Is Chicago Going To Match This
A figure of $321 million was the number that the governments of Cook County, Chicago, and Illinois came up with as the number of dollars required for the migrant crisis in 2024. The state has already committed $160 million, along with the county’s $100 million. This migrant crisis requires every aspect of the Chicago region’s government, state, city, and county to mitigate this issue.
While one could blame Greg Abbott, the republican governor, one could also applaud Chicago’s regional government for its effort. Though one could also remember that the government simply doing its job is not worthy of praise in and of itself. The state and the county are investing another $250 million towards this cause.
Challenges
Chicago needs to get itself out of this situation. However, the solution isn’t making shelter temporary, as Chicago is currently doing. It must be reiterated that the migrants aren’t just numbers on a screen of “needy people.”
They are living breathing human beings that need help, compassion, and empathy. As a government, Chicago must step up to the challenge of taking care of all who live in Chicago. There is no point of having a government if it can’t take care of all who live within its borders.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
CBS News: State of Illinois, Cook County pledge funds for migrant mission, no word from City of Chicago
Borderlessmag: Investigation: Migrants Describe Inhumane Conditions At Chicago’s Largest Shelter by By Mauricio Peña, Katrina Pham and Nissa Rhee
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Mathieu Thouvenin’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Txeng Meng’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
