Chicago Mayor Lightfoot Asks For $53.5 Million to Support Migrants

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot asks for more money to support migrantsPhoto byTwitter

According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the state has bussed 1,500 migrants to the city of Chicago.

Mayor Lightfoot wrote in a letter on Thursday:

“The city is grateful to the state of Illinois for its partnership and collaboration on this mission to date, but we are simply unable to provide migrant services at today’s levels after February 1, 2023, if the state withdraws its financial support.”

“As a Chicago Delegation Member, I respectfully request you to advocate for $53.5 million to the city of Chicago for emergency services to migrant and asylum-seeking individuals in a supplemental appropriations bill that may be considered before the 102nd Illinois General Assembly adjourns.”

Photo byTwitter

Since the busing started in August, the Illinois Governor has not been a fan of Governor Abbott. Shortly after, Governor J.B. Pritzker declared a State of Emergency.

Governor Pritzker’s office said the state had spent $120 million to support Chicago as the city supports migrants that arrived on the Texas busses.

Pritzker’s spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said:

“Our administration is pleased that additional federal funds were included in the latest spending bill signed by President (Joe) Biden and the state will apply for those dollars as soon as possible. The Governor looks forward to productive conversations with the General Assembly on how best to ensure Illinois remains a welcoming state.”

Illinois expects to receive some money back but this will not be enough to cover as the bill from Mayor Lightfoot grows.

The money Lightfoot requested will probably increase if Title 42 ends. The policy is a COVID-era policy that prevents migrants from crossing the border to enter the country based on COVID-19. The U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts stated the Supreme Court would keep Title 42 in place until the court reexamines the policy in two months.

The policy was expected to end on December 21.

Do you support the city providing $53.5 million to help the recently arrived migrants?