Chicago Officials Tell Residents Their Plan to Shelter Migrants in Their Community – It Doesn’t Go Well
Residents of a Chicago community were not pleased when officials revealed plans to convert a former high school into a shelter for migrants. WTTW reported on a community meeting of the South Shore neighborhood in…
Residents of a Chicago community were not pleased when officials revealed plans to convert a former high school into a shelter for migrants.
WTTW reported on a community meeting of the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago when residents learned of the move.
Nubia Willman, chief engagement officer for the city’s Office of Community Engagement, told residents, “What’s important is that we really establish that this is a humanitarian crisis.”
She added, “There’s more than 300 migrants waiting in police stations across the city.”
A video appeared to show a resounding response of community members shouting, “No!”
Alderman Michelle Harris said, “While this crisis may constitute an emergency for the city of Chicago, it does not constitute an emergency for the South Shore community.”
Her comments garnered applause from attendees.
Watch the video below:
The meeting comes as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has been busing migrants to the city, which has led officials to grapple with where to shelter them.
Residents in the South Shore community reportedly packed the room to capacity to attend the meeting about the decision to convert the former South Shore High School into a respite center for migrants.
Officials declined to say how long the migrants would be there. But WTTW noted officials said the location will be a temporary shelter and “used as a facility where migrants can rest, shower and get something to eat before finding a shelter.”
The plan would reportedly give 500 asylum seekers a place to stay.
Some noted the neighborhood had been pushing to make the building a community space.
One resident asked, “Why would you do that without asking us about our input to the people who live right in front of the South Shore school? Two hundred fifty people, give me a break.”
“Where is the money coming from?” another attendee asked, adding, “Migrants don’t pay taxes. I understand helping people but you have to start with your own home. Why don’t we have those resources with what’s happening here.”
Other residents raised concerns about crime and what they said was a lack of resources for community members.