|
Chicago has seen more than 35,000 non-citizen arrivals over the
past year and a half from the southern border. Many have
questioned the state's response and coordination with Chicago.
Last week, Pritzker explained his relationship with Johnson.
"The reality is, our senior staffs are sitting at the table
every day, that's no exaggeration, every day with the county,"
Pritzker said. "We have meetings between the mayor, the county
board president and me, so we are getting a lot done."
Johnson has also pushed back on the idea that the city and state
are not working together to look to solve the migrant issue.
"We have worked with the faith community, the business
community, the philanthropic community, labor and all levels of
government to provide care for our new arrivals," Johnson said.
"We are working to help create a pathway to self-sufficiency and
independence."
A few weeks ago, Pritzker spoke about the need for more
communication between both sides regarding the sheltering of the
arrivals.
"I am deeply concerned. We do not have enough shelter as it is
in Chicago," Pritzker said. "The city has not told the state
where they would like us to put our resources to build or help
them build new shelters."
Johnson responded to Pritzker's comments of needing to provide
locations.
"The state has received several locations they can build a
shelter at," Johnson said. "Just keep in mind the state of
Illinois can build a shelter anywhere."
Pritzker has indicated the best place to house the foreign
nationals arriving to Illinois is in Chicago because of quicker
access to a variety of resources and services.
Illinois taxpayers spent over $500 million on migrant care in
2023 alone.
|
|
