Chicago City Wire

Chicago Republican Party Chairman Steve Boulton is slamming the City of Chicago for offering $51 million in aid to undocumented immigrants.

He said the move was irresponsible and it is only a stop-gap solution to the real issue. 

“They still haven’t told us where this money is coming from," Boulton said. "Where did they find this $51 million that’s only going to last for 1 month?” 

He pointed out that providing over $50 million to non-locals is a reckless disregard for the people that need assistance the most. 

“These communities where they’re housing the migrants, South Shore, Woodlawn ... they are impoverished," Boulton said. "There isn’t enough money to keep their schools open, some of these communities see a household income of $16-17,000, but now we have more than $50 million in funding to provide a month or two of services for the migrants?” 

The Southeast Side Republican Party’s Paul McKinley said the Chicago Teachers Union is to blame. 

“The CTU is being run by people on the North Side,” McKinley said. “The South and West Sides don’t run the CTU. Why aren't they housing these migrants on the North Side? Why aren’t the city aldermen having these migrants sleeping on their door steps and funding them with their personal money?”

Chicago is allocating $51 million to address the influx of undocumented immigrants arriving from the southern border. The funds, sourced from opioid and vaping settlement funds, are expected to last a few months and were approved after a heated debate. Alderman David Moore opposed the spending, arguing that the city should prioritize its own residents before allocating taxpayer money to migrants. 

"I'm reminded of when a flight attendant on a plane says in an emergency, make sure you put your mask on first before you help someone else," Moore said, according to The Center Square. "If you die, you cannot be a blessing to anyone else." 

On the other hand, Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez supported the funding, emphasizing that it would aid those in need saying, "Paying $51 million for kids to not go hungry is peanuts compared to the $1 billion the city of Chicago pays for police misconduct settlements." 

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed a commitment to caring for the newly arrived migrants, stating that his administration would do everything possible to support them as they rebuild their lives in the United States. The state of Illinois has also included $43 million from state taxpayers in the budget to address the issue in Chicago, including subsidies for migrant healthcare. 

State Rep. Adam Neimerg (R-Dieterich) criticized the allocation, claiming that the problem had spiraled out of control and was burdening the people of Illinois. He expressed concerns about the state's priorities, highlighting its sanctuary status, previous closure of Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, and limitations on law enforcement's ability to address immigration issues. Neimerg warned that the current allocations for housing migrants and healthcare were only the start of further spending, questioning the state's plan for housing facilities and additional expenditures.

Ahead of the vote, advocates and critics expressed their opinions on the matter. Moore refused to approve the funding unless he secures at least $10 million to build a new field house in his ward, ABC7 Chicago reported, Moore and former mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green argued that the South and West sides of Chicago should receive the same level of attention and urgency as the migrants. Meanwhile, Alderman Michael Rodriquez emphasized the importance of supporting the migrants, seeing it as an investment in the neighborhoods, as they will contribute to the city's classrooms, housing, and tax revenue. The funding is expected as well as is the strain on Chicago's finances.

The City of Chicago joins the state in its efforts to provide care for the undocumented. A major point of contention is spending for a health insurance program for undocumented immigrants, which was allotted $500 million of the projected budget of $50 billion, according to Peoria Standard. The program is for those individuals 42 years old and above. Springfield Democrats sought to lower that bar to those 19 years old and older but have been unable to move the legislation.