Tensions flare over plan to house migrants at Chicago's Wilbur Wright College
CHICAGO (CBS) – Tensions ran high on the Northwest Side where residents got the chance to voice their opinions about the city opening a new migrant shelter, this time at Wilbur Wright College.
CBS 2's Chris Tye was at the heated debate on Tuesday night between those wanting to offer help and those worried about footing the bill.
CBS 2 captured one exchange between two attendees.
Frank Coconate, with Chicago Standing Together: "What ward are you from?"
Kim Minnaugh, with Indivisible Chicago Alliance: "I'm from the 4th Ward."
Coconate: "Well, your ward should be assessed money to pay for this."
Minnaugh: "Because I live in the 4th Ward and I believe human beings are never illegal?"
Coconate: "Yes. Why should I pay? I don't want to pay."
Minnaugh: "This is about humanity."
Coconate: "No, it's not about humanity."
Minnaugh: "You know you're doing a NIMBY, 'not in my backyard.'"
Coconate: "No, no, no. What I'm doing is, 'It's all about money.' Money honey."
A debate over money, empathy, and in-your-face energy took place both outside and inside of the meeting.
A capacity crowd came to the very gym migrants will soon occupy at Wright College.
"As chancellor, I am confident this will go well," said Juan Salgado, chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago, before being met by jeers from many meeting attendees.
To a packed crowd — the chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago is jeered after promising “I’m confident things will go well” as talk of moving asylum seekers to the campus of Wilbur Wright College begin. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/CBd2LzFlZT
— Chris Tye (@TVTye) May 23, 2023
The crowd was eager to be heard and speak their mind. There were detractors and supporters.
"I hear a lot of emotion going on here, most of it driven by fear," said one speaker. "I'm wondering what these people are afraid of. They're afraid of a longer line at a Jewel checkout?"
"We have seniors, children, disabled, do all of these people have background checks?" asked another speaker.
The Wright College campus will house migrants June 1 through Aug. 1 Families will be prioritized for the space. Curfews will be enforced at the facility which has space for eating and showers. Food, cots, and children's supplies will be provided.
As of Tuesday night, more than 9,900 migrants had arrived in Chicago since last August. They're being housed at 20 shelters, and three respite centers with 700 spillover asylum seekers spending the night at local police stations.
Wright College would be able to absorb about 400 people.
City leaders said another bug, this one from Loredo, Texas, was en route to Chicago as of Tuesday night. This comes as the City Council is expected to discuss a proposal to allocate $51 million toward funding the cost of asylum seekers on Wednesday.