Migrant Crisis in Chicago
As of the past couple of years, there have been thousands of migrant families that have been sent to Chicago. They have been sent here because they are in need of shelter, as well as a better life and more opportunities. However, there has been a major crisis involving too many migrant families that have been arriving to Chicago, and it has become too much for the city to handle. Shelters have been filling up incredibly quickly, and therefore leaves many migrant families to sleep in areas such as police stations, or even on the street. Therefore, there needed something to be done, and quickly.
Funding Has Been Approved by Chicago City Council
The City of Chicago has been in constant talk about there being funding that primarily serves migrant families. That way, more shelters can be opened, and they could also be served in a better manner. “Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement that the funding is necessary and will go toward resources for migrants, including food, housing, and staffing,” according to Fox News. Therefore, the entirety of the funds that the city has acquired will be only for migrant families. However, there has been a lot of controversy that has been surrounding this particular issue. On one end, there are residents who are in favor of this funding and therefore support it wholeheartedly. On the other hand, there are residents that are completely against this and therefore have spoken out about it.
Reactions from Residents in Chicago
There have been several reactions from residents within the City of Chicago. There are many that support this funding, as migrant families deserve to live a great life filled with opportunity. On the other hand, there are people that do not support this funding. Ald. Jeanette Taylor was someone who did not support this funding. “I’m so tired of, when it’s a crisis for everybody else, we go, ‘We gotta do something.’ But, when we’re having this violence in the Black community, nothing gets said or nothing gets done. … It ain’t our responsibility to take care of everybody else, and we’re tired because we do just that. When we fought for civil rights — when we fought just to drink out of a damn fountain — it was just us,” according to Taylor from the Chicago Sun-Times.
Turmoil Within the Meeting
However, throughout this entire city council meeting, there was a sense of anger, and it was let out when Ald. Taylor voted ‘Yes’ for this funding agreement. There were many people within the courtroom itself who were shouting things such as ‘traitor’ and ‘sellout’ to Taylor. This then prompted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to weigh in, before things escalated and got too out of hand. Ald. Taylor also had something to say about all the comments that she was receiving. “If my yes vote bothers you, then so be it … because hurt people don’t hurt people,” mentions Jeanette Taylor from WBEZ.
Clearly, there is a lot that comes into play within this particular issue. However, there was a final decision that was made, and many voted ‘Yes’ to being able to fund migrant families. The final vote had ended 34-13.
The Future of the Migrant Crisis Within Chicago
After the way this meeting had ended, it is without certainty that this funding will surely help many migrant families that have been sent to Chicago. That way, many families do not have to shelter in areas that are not suitable for sheltering. However, there are still many issues that plague the City of Chicago, and action needs to be taken within those sectors as well.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
Fox News: Chicago City Council approves $51 million to help migrants sent from border
WBEZ News: Chicago City Council approves $51 million in aid for migrants after racially heated debate
Chicago Sun-Times: Divided City Council approves $51 million in migrant crisis funding
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Daniel X. O’Neil’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Jeanne Menjoulet’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
