Chicago City Wire

The Chicago City Council committee has sanctioned the creation of a second migrant tent camp, overriding objections from South Side Alderman Ronnie Mosley. 

The camp will occupy a disused grocery store and parking lot on 115th and Halsted streets, properties that Albertsons Cos, the parent company of Jewel, had donated.

“Last month, after our community expressed multiple concerns about this shelter, I co-sponsored an ordinance that addressed these concerns and advocated for aldermen to receive a 30-day notice of intentions to house migrants in their communities. Unfortunately, those have not yet passed,” Mosley said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

This resolution is in reaction to the pressing requirement to provide accommodation for thousands of migrants who had been residing in police stations and O’Hare Airport previously. After its function as a shelter for asylum-seekers during winter, the site will be handed over to a local community development corporation for developing affordable housing and retail space.

Residents of Chicago’s Far South Side have expressed divided opinions regarding the potential establishment of a migrant camp in their community. In September, Mosley led a meeting to discuss a proposed site at 115th and Halsted in Morgan Park. Concerns raised during the meeting include the vaccination status, background checks, English language education, cleanliness of the tent city and its impact on property values.

As of Nov. 2022, the property was under consideration for considerable development. The Far South Community Development Corp. was close to completing a housing proposal and identifying ways to redevelop an overlooked corner at the northwest junction of 115th and Halsted Streets in Chicago. Deemed representative of the city’s economic disparities, plans proposed 286 residences including multifamily buildings and townhomes within the development known as Morgan Park Commons which also comprised an 18,000 square feet retail space and a three-acre park adjoining Major Taylor Bike Trail. 

The organization managed to secure funding from diverse sources along with being shortlisted for the $10 million Chicago Prize intending community's southern gateway enrichment. Now it is set to be transformed into “Johnsonville” tent city accommodating more than 1,000 illegal immigrants making it the second such tent city after Brighton Park which resulted in local residents protesting due to its capacity housing 1,600 illegal immigrants within tents.

The name "Johnsonville" originates from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's strategy of establishing winterized tents for accommodating migrants. Residents from the area have voiced concerns about illicit activities like prostitution which seem to be widespread already within such communities.

“It is apparent that prostitution near and among other migrant camps is rampant and increasing,” Sabrina Basquez mentioned on Facebook. “The page has been sent multiple videos of migrants participating in prostitution. I cannot emphasize enough the safety concerns this means for the camp at 38/California. There are numerous elementary schools within direct walking distance of the camp. For the city to ignore this is absurd and insulting to the residents.”