Chicago City Wire

The work to establish a winterized tent encampment for asylum-seeking migrants, without the approval of 12th Ward alderwoman Julia Ramirez, is scheduled to commence this week in Brighton Park. 

This initiative, which enjoys the support of both Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, is set to be funded by $160 million in state funding. The encampment at 38th Street and California Avenue is projected to be operational by early December provided environmental contaminations on site are cleared.

“Asylum seekers have travelled thousands of miles and entered this country legally in search of a better life, and we cannot allow them to be met with sub-freezing temperatures and inadequate shelter,” Pritzker said in a press release.

However, there has been some contention surrounding the public disclosure of information pertaining to environmental studies. The Johnson administration has not released the results of an environmental study of the tent camp location. The mayor said at a news conference that work to prepare the site will start before the environmental study is released publicly because "Winter is coming, fast," according to the Chicago Tribune

“We’ve assessed and we have looked for any contaminants, and all of the remediation that’s necessary to eliminate the contaminants, that’s very much a part of our overall agenda,” Johnson said.

And the Pritzker administration has said the Brighton Park migrant camp won't open until environmental assessments of the site are complete.

This lack of transparency has led Alderwoman Ramirez to voice her concerns about the planned encampment. Ramirez says she doesn't want the migrant encampment set up at 38th and California. She published a public letter Saturday saying that she doesn't approve of the site picked by the state and City Hall.

"Let me be clear: I am opposed to the construction of this site, especially as the full environmental impact study results have not been shared with my office or the community," Ramirez wrote. "We have been made aware toxic chemicals are present in the soil and although remediation has been done, after a history of bad communication and a lack of transparency from the city, this is not enough to ensure the safety and health of the new arrivals expected to live on the site."

Ramirez accused the Johnson administration of disregarding the "well-being of everyone in our community."

"Immigrants are welcome here. … I cannot condone a living situation that puts residents, new and old, at serious health risk," Ramirez wrote.

In addition to Ramirez, neighboring Alderman Ray Lopez (15th) also commented on these developments. Lopez addressed the migrant camp controversy near his ward on X.

"Brighton Park residents have legitimate concerns about their safety, neighborhood resources and the commitment of leaders to stick to any agreements. Nobody has reassured the community their concerns will be a priority. Winter is nothing new and any failure to plan doesn’t fall on my neighbors," Lopez wrote.