Chicago City Wire

Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said Chicago has "plenty of resources for illegal migrants" despite having the highest rate jobless rate in the country.

"Chicago, host to the DNC next week," Cortes wrote in a post on X. "Highest Jobless Rate in America. Worst Carjacking Rate in Country. But plenty of resources for illegal migrants!!!"

The Chicago metro area has a jobless rate of 6.2%, according to a report from Illinois Policy, the highest of all rates from the fifty largest metros in the country. The city has a lower population and more unemployment than when Mayor Brandon Johnson took office in May of 2023. The state of Illinois similarly has a 6.1% unemployment rate.

A recent report from Safe and Sound Securities highlighted Chicago's rising crime rates, with an average violent crime rate of 5.38 per 1,000 residents, a much higher rate than the national average. The city's crime rate also increased by 11.5% in 2023, with arrest rates decreasing by 10.8% despite crimes like vehicle thefts reaching decade-high levels.

Chicago has a “Welcoming City Ordinance” which makes the city a Sanctuary City. This means the city does not ask about immigration status, disclose immigration status information to authorities, or withhold city services based on immigration status. City officials also do not partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to apprehend residents who are living in the country illegally.

Chicago will host the 2024 Democratic National Convention from Monday, August 19, through Thursday, August 22. 

Cortes, a native of Chicago Heights, is a political advisor and commentator. He previously traded global currencies and interest rates for 25 years for large international hedge funds. He has been an on-air broadcaster for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN. 

Cortes founded LAW in 2022 to conduct research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.