Chicago City Wire

Ald. Brendan Reilly is fed up with crime and other issues present at city encampments where the undocumented are housed.

Reilly sent a letter to Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson which was noted by the 16th & 17th District Chicago Police Scanner on Twitter.

“Reilly details complaints regarding the migrants being housed at the Inn of Chicago. He mentions loitering, littering, parking, human waste, drug sales, and prostitution at the Inn of Chicago,” the group said. “We've received mention of the same at different locations housing migrants, particularly downtown.” 

Reilly noted his concern in a letter to Johnson titled “New Arrivals Housed at the Inn of Chicago located at 162 East Ontario Street.”

“I am writing to share the concerns my office receives daily regarding new arrivals living at the Inn of Chicago (IOC) located at 162 East Ohio Street,” Reilly wrote. “Since the City started housing new arrivals at IOC, hundreds of our shared constituents and many local businesses have contacted my office to express concerns about migrants loitering, littering, illegally parking their vehicles, and leaving human waste on the sidewalks near the hotel.”

He noted that migrants living at IOC have been reportedly seen selling narcotics and engaging in lewd activity, including possible prostitution. Reilly provided Johnson a copy of a letter his "office received from 550 St. Clair Condominium Association, an email from The Arts Club of Chicago (ACC) at 201 East Ontario Street, and communications from residents.” He also noted Chicago Police responded to 911 calls about 30 migrants in a heated argument in the street outside of ACC. He noted that "Local neighbors and business owners witnessed this activity and it reflects very poorly on the City and our migrant crises response efforts.” 

“My office has reported these health and public safety concerns to both former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's Office and your administration several times; unfortunately, nothing has changed,” Reilly wrote. “I respectfully request that you direct DFSS, CPD, and S&S to work together to ensure the area surrounding IOC is cleaned daily and additional beat officers are assigned to ensure the safety of all neighborhood residents. To prevent loitering, I suggest DFSS provide new arrivals with a list of public open spaces and encourage them to patronize our City's beautiful parks and beaches.” 

While Reilly said he is "sympathetic to the new arrivals' situation and support Chicago being a Welcoming City" he underscored that "these are serious concerns that need to be addressed immediately.” 

Reilly encouraged Johnson to contact him if the mayor needs further information related to his request.

Reporter William J. Kelly outed the Inn of Chicago as a migrant housing center earlier this year. Kelly noted the Inn of Chicago, which books out at $300 per night, is exclusively accommodating illegal immigrants and preventing public access. The video captures Kelly asking residents about their origins, mostly from Venezuela and Nicaragua, and suggests that the hotel is functioning as a "migrant hotel."

Despite the emergency declaration over the hordes of illegal immigrants streaming into Chicago Johnson has maintained a pro-illegal immigrant stance. 

"Chicago has always been a place that immigrants, migrants, and refugees have called home,” Johnson’s campaign website reads. “It is a place where migrants and refugees from all over the world – from the Jim Crow South to the furthest reaches of the globe – have come to build lives and contribute to everything that makes our city great.”