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“We’ve seen reaction from residents in the city, for example
Brighton Park was selected for one of the sites for tents and it
faced blowback from residents, some protested showing how
polarizing the issue is,” Sharkey told The Center Square. “On
top of protests, there’s also been a lawsuit filed to halt
construction. More money from the city for the solution can help
in the short term, but it’s not a permanent plan.”
With the Lincoln Poll survey of 800 voters conducted over a
five-day period in late October, researchers found that 63% of
residents are at least somewhat against the plan, 46% of them
strongly, compared to just 28% who support it and 9% who are
unsure.
Among different ethnic groups, Hispanic residents were most
strongly opposed to the plan at 53%.
“Mayor Johnson’s current plan for migrants is worrying voters
because winter weather is approaching and you have people living
outside when the city hasn’t proposed a permanent plan,” Sharkey
said. “Instead, the city keeps asking the federal government for
more money. Chicago’s newest budget earmarks $150 million for
migrant care, but many think it will end up costing more than
that. One estimate has the city currently spending $40 million
in one month.”
Over the past 15 months, more than 24,000 arrivals have landed
in Illinois, creating a crisis that also recently moved Gov.
J.B. Pritzker to announce that the state has earmarked an
additional $160 million through the Illinois Department of Human
Services to deal with the problem.
With voters expressing a host of reasons for feeling how they
do, Sharkey isn’t sure if any of the funding will be enough to
calm all the rising emotions.
“It’s a multi-faceted issue, and certainly a lot of factors go
into why people feel the way they do,” he said. “One thing the
mayor can do right now is listen to people in the community,
their concerns and what they’re thinking. There are some that
have suggested other ideas … The city could actively work with
community leaders on possible solutions besides temporary
tents.”
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