Chicago City Wire

A coalition of Hyde Park residents, legal advocates and Republican officials held a press conference last week to demand accountability from the City of Chicago over what they allege is the unlawful conversion of a former hotel into a permanent shelter for undocumented immigrants.

At the center of the controversy is the former Best Western Lake Shore Hotel, located at 4900 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, which is now operating as a shelter under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “One System Initiative.”

The shelter, initially opened as a temporary facility for illegal immigrants, is set to house over 750 people and has raised concerns about loitering, safety and quality of life issues. 

Residents have noted they are frustrated by the lack of community input, as the city argues no zoning change is necessary. 

The Cook County Republican Party, led by Chairman Aaron Del Mar, organized the event, expressing support for legal action to stop the shelter’s continued operation without due process. 

Standing with concerned neighbors and activists, attorney Bryan Drew of the Drew Law Group delivered a speech accusing city and state leaders of bypassing legal procedures, ignoring community voices and using undocumented immigrants and neighborhoods for political gain.

“Behind us, we have a number of the residents here in the Hyde Park community,” Drew said. “We have Aaron Del Mar. We had a number of other officials here because we're all concerned about what's going on. Next door to us here was once a hotel with a restaurant, a place where the local neighborhood went to eat on regular occasions. They had events there. It was a vibrant part of the community and an economic driver in this community. But now, very secretly, the city of Chicago has put in a shelter, and that's really what we're here about today.”

Chicago's “One System Initiative” is a $40 million program aimed at unifying services for illegal immigrants, adding 3,800 beds to the city’s existing 3,000-bed shelter network.  

Concerns have also been raised by shelter workers who say they are underprepared and undertrained to assist illegal immigrants requiring specialized services.

Critics say the transition of the Best Western Lake Shore Hotel was done without public input, required zoning applications, or adherence to environmental protections guaranteed under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance.

Drew, who represents a coalition of Hyde Park residents, accused Mayor Brandon Johnson, Gov. JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton of acting out of “selfish political ambition disguised as public policy.”

“The decision to very quietly place over 300 undocumented migrants into a former hotel right in the middle of this residential neighborhood with plans to increase that number to over 750 people in this building, which has 115 rooms—that's not just reckless, it's unlawful,” Drew said. 

Drew argued that the city's actions reflect a double standard, where political convenience overrides the legal obligations expected of everyday residents and businesses. 

“This plan violates zoning laws, city ordinances, and basic occupancy laws—the very rules that are enforced every single day on working families and all business owners across the city,” Drew said. “If you or I tried to do this, they wouldn't be giving us $8 million, as the owner of the hotel may ultimately get—we'd be condemned and arrested.” 

The Lakefront Protection Ordinance, which governs development along Chicago’s shoreline, requires public hearings, environmental assessments and review by the Chicago Plan Commission. 

Residents and attorneys claim none of those steps have been taken.

“As often happens here, when it's politically convenient, the rules we all must live by suddenly don't (apply),” Drew said. “And who bears the cost? People's hard-earned funds, folks raising their families, the teachers in our schools, the shop owners on 53rd Street, the taxpayers who play by the rules.”

Community leaders say they are preparing a federal lawsuit if the city fails to follow zoning and environmental regulations. They argue the decision to convert the shelter was made unilaterally by City Hall, without community consultation.

“Let's be really honest with each other,” Drew said. “This wasn't a decision made in partnership with the community. It wasn't rolled out with transparency or public input from these individuals or any serious effort to listen to the people who actually live here. It was made behind closed doors. And when it became public, it wasn't planned. It was a problem—handed off to us to figure out.”

Drew did not mince words when discussing Pritzker’s broader approach to migrant resettlement in Illinois.

“It’s not about justice, it’s about politics; it is about political ambition,” Drew said. “Governor Pritzker brought thousands of undocumented migrants into Illinois not as part of a thoughtful, long-term strategy of compassion, but because he saw an opportunity to boost his national profile. He wanted to be the progressive answer to the governors down south. He wanted to be seen on cable news, on late-night television, and on the campaign trail as a leader who could be president.” 

Building on his criticism of state leadership, Drew contrasted the public image sought by Governor Pritzker with what he described as a lack of real accountability on the ground. 

“But here’s the thing: leadership is not about soundbites. It’s about showing up. It’s staying when the cameras leave. It’s facing the people affected by your decisions,” Drew said. “And where is Governor Pritzker while the people of Hyde Park and the city of Chicago struggle to manage this crisis on the ground? He’s cracking jokes with Jimmy Kimmel and Hollywood.” 

Drew further accused both the governor and mayor of exploiting both migrants and residents.

“In the end, it's not just the migrants who are being exploited and left in limbo, it is our communities, our schools, our police departments, our social workers, our families,” Drew said. “We need real solutions. We need honest conversations. We need leaders who are willing to do the work, even when no one is watching. The people of Hyde Park deserve better.”

Drew delivered a firm warning about legal consequences if officials don’t change course.

“If the mayor and the governor continue to pursue this shelter, we will be there to fight them every step of the way—in state courts, in federal courtrooms, all over the city of Chicago,” Drew said. “For far too long, many politicians in Chicago and across Illinois treated public office as a stepping stone for their egos and their own personal gain. It's time now that those in power are reminded that the power belongs to the people, not the politicians.”

Over the past two years, the City of Chicago has spent more than $612 million to house and support over 52,000 newly arriving illegal immigrants, mostly from South America. 

Meanwhile, Illinois taxpayers have spent an estimated $2.84 billion on services for illegal immigrants, including $820 million in support services and over $2 billion in healthcare costs, raising concerns about the impact on essential programs for residents.

Danielle Carter-Walters, vice president of Chicago Flips Red, also attended the event. She recently testified before Congress, calling for a forensic audit of over $600 million in city migrant-related spending and raising concerns about fiscal accountability and sanctuary city policies.

Kristina McCloy, founder of Concerned Parents IL who also was present, praised the coalition’s actions on social media. 

“Thank you Aaron Del Mar, Bryan Drew and Chuck De Balboa Hernandez for standing up for us in Illinois!” she wrote on Facebook.