Chicago City Wire

Ray Lopez, Alderman of Chicago's 15th Ward and a candidate for the 4th Congressional District, has publicly voiced his criticism of U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), the district's congressman, for his lack of involvement in addressing the Brighton Park illegal immigrant issue. This criticism comes after it was discovered that the site chosen by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for a migrant tent encampment in Brighton Park is contaminated with high levels of lead, arsenic and mercury.

"Brighton Park is entirely in the 4th Congressional district, yet our congressman has been absent on the city’s attempt to house 2,000 asylum seekers on a cancerous brownfield,” Lopez said on Facebook. “Is it any wonder why?”

An 800-page environmental study commissioned by City Hall noted contamination at the site. The analysis of groundwater, soil and soil gas samples indicated that certain locations on the site exceeded acceptable levels of arsenic, lead, mercury and manganese. The report made public by Johnson's administration disclosed that mercury levels surpassed residential outdoor inhalation exposure standards.

Second Ward Alderman Julia Ramirez expressed her concerns about this situation. She said she "cannot condone a living situation that puts residents, new and old, at serious health risk," as reported by Chicago City Wire.

Lopez along with two other members of the Chicago City Council demanded immediate resignation from city employees responsible for the failed migrant camp site in Brighton Park. In a letter addressed to Mayor Brandon Johnson and shared by WGN News Channel 9, they called for resignations from Garien Gatewood, Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Lori Lypson, Alyxandra Goodwin, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Maura McCauley and Matthew Richards.

“What we have seen in Brighton Park, however, does not show members of your administration as being either serious, deliberative or collaborative in addressing this issue. Taxpayer funds are now wasted after a failed attempt to build on highly cancerous soil, without permits, without true community engagement, without a plan that is respectful to those whom so many performatively articulate sanctuary for in our city,” the aldermen wrote.

This demand followed the governor's decision to halt plans for the migrant base camp at the site after traces of toxic chemicals were discovered. The aldermen also expressed concerns about potential contamination at two other temporary housing locations and questioned the mayor's choice of sites.

In October, Lopez announced his candidacy in the March 19 primary against Garcia, as reported by Block Club Chicago. Lopez has represented the 15th Ward since 2015 and was previously a candidate for Chicago Mayor before withdrawing from the race.

According to the Census Bureau's map, the 4th Congressional District includes Brighton Park, West Elsdon, South Lawndale; most of New City, Pilsen, Chicago Lawn, Clearing, Garfield Ridge and Bridgeport; Cook County communities of Burbank, Berwyn, Cicero, Brookfield, LaGrange Park, Northlake, Melrose Park, Berkeley and Franklin Park; and Dupage County communities of Hinsdale, Elmhurst and Oak Brook.