Chicago City Wire

A group of Chicago aldermen are raising alarms after discovering that taxpayer dollars have been used to fund pro bono legal services for illegal aliens.

The aldermen, including James M. Gardiner of Ward 45, Silvana Tabares of Ward 23, Raymond Lopez of Ward 15, Monique L. Scott of Ward 24 and Anthony Napolitano of Ward 41, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these legal expenditures.

The accusations center on the city’s continued support for this practice under Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration, despite initial denials from city officials.

An estimated $40,000 in taxpayer money has been spent on legal services for illegal aliens, a situation that continued even after the transition to Johnson’s leadership.

Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request reportedly show payments for such services up to 2024, though it remains unclear whether any of the funds were expended on behalf of individuals under investigation for violent crimes.

Initially, city officials, including the Corporation Counsel, reportedly denied that they were paying for outside counsel for noncitizens.

According to the FOIA requests, the city has apparently been paying Barnes & Thornburg, as well as other law forms, to represent noncitizens in legal proceedings.

Now, the Chicago City Council is considering a resolution aimed at halting these taxpayer-funded legal services provided by the city’s Department of Law. 

Introduced during the Committee on Ethics & Government Oversight meeting on Feb. 19, the resolution would end the practice of offering free legal services to noncitizens under the city’s "Welcoming City" status, citing concerns about public safety, financial fairness, and lack of transparency.

The resolution highlights that, under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, the city’s Department of Law began providing pro bono legal services and covering court costs for illegal aliens. 

"The financial welfare and stability of the City of Chicago's citizens and its investments must be a guiding priority," the resolution states. 

The aldermen backing the resolution have also called for an investigation into the program's costs and the individuals receiving services. 

One of the key points of concern is that the legal services were provided without proper vetting of the noncitizens, raising fears that individuals who may pose a threat to public safety could be benefiting from these taxpayer-funded programs. 

The resolution also draws attention to the fact that the city does not extend similar services to its own residents, particularly marginalized groups such as African American, Latino, senior, and low-income citizens.

According to the resolution, invoices obtained through a FOIA request revealed that the city has paid firms like Barnes & Thornburg LLP as much as $295 per hour for legal services, with court filing fees sometimes exceeding $1,400. 

The city has reportedly redacted names from these invoices, making it impossible to determine whether the individuals receiving legal representation have criminal backgrounds.

The proposed resolution seeks to immediately terminate contracts with Barnes & Thornburg LLP and other law firms providing these services, urging the city to stop funding legal assistance for noncitizens under the “Immigration Services” program. 

Additionally, it calls for a cessation of the issuance of municipal identification cards to noncitizens, citing concerns that the program could hinder law enforcement’s ability to address criminal activity, particularly from violent gangs.

Council members have voiced concern over the lack of accountability and transparency surrounding these services, with some questioning whether taxpayer dollars should be used to support legal aid for noncitizens while other residents face unmet needs.

As the City Council prepares to vote on the resolution, it remains to be seen how this proposed change will impact the future of Chicago's "Welcoming City" status and its policies surrounding immigration and municipal services.

From 2022 to mid 2024 Chicago had spent nearly $300 million on the migrant crisis, with over $215 million spent under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. 

Meanwhile, Illinois taxpayers statewide are projected to spend an estimated $2.84 billion on services for undocumented immigrants from FY 2023 to FY 2025, excluding education and other local costs. This total includes $820 million for support services and over $2 billion in healthcare costs.