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Illinois and Cook County Plan to Allocate $252M for Services to Illegal Migrants in Chicago

The state of Illinois and Cook County have announced their intention to allocate an additional $252 million to support illegal immigrants arriving in Chicago this year. This funding is intended to provide housing, food and other services to immigrants, but Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to pay more for the current crisis.

Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker donated $182 million and Cook donated approximately $182 million. City Council President Toni Preckwinkle has pledged to donate $70 million to the joint venture fund. The goal is to ensure that immigrants sent from Texas border shelters to Chicago have access to comprehensive services and health care.

Recently arrived migrants in a makeshift shelter operated by the city of Chicago at O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The money builds on a previous $160 million commitment the state made in November to support illegal immigration. Integration, housing and democracy. According to news reports, the state has spent $478 million since the intervention began.

More than 35,000 immigrants have been transported to Chicago and its suburbs in the past 18 months. Despite this influx, the latest data from the city shows that the number of migrants in shelters fell below 13,000 by Tuesday, its lowest level in months.

Governor
Pritzker talked about the need for more aid if Congress does not take action, saying: “Thousands of refugees continue to come to Chicago in need. Support, but Congress refuses to take action. Jobs These states, It’s clear cities and towns need to do more to keep people safe.”

The state’s revenues will be included in the governor’s 2025 budget, which will be presented to the General Assembly.

Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the redistribution of illegal immigrants from the southern border to Chicago.

Meanwhile, Cook County has donated more than $100 million in the current fiscal year 2024, mostly for health care. Governor Preckwinkle pledged to work with Cook County Commissioners to provide an additional $70 million in funding for joint programs.

“With significant funding stalled from Congress due to this ongoing humanitarian crisis, Cook County is committed to improving the situation–land availability,” Preckwinkle admitted.

Cook County, the second most populous county in the United States and serving approximately 5.2 million people, is a leader in healthcare services for immigrants. New, physical exams, tests, diagnostic services and behavioral testing.

The joint budget report is based on estimates from states, cities and local groups and shows about $321 million is needed to manage accommodations and services this year. Mayor Johnson has not yet committed funding and said there are still issues to be resolved, including the city’s responsibility to provide temporary emergency shelters.

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