Mayor Brandon Johnson in D.C. to push for $5B in federal funding for migrants
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was in Washington, D.C., on Friday to join a handful of other big city mayors to ask the Biden administration for $5 billion more in federal funding for aid to migrants.
Johnson joined mayors from Denver, Houston, and Los Angeles, who are all pushing for more federal funding. He said the full wraparound services for thousands of migrants in Chicago are costing the city $40 million per month, a figure that is not sustainable.
CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reported on how the expense is largely why Johnson and the other big city mayors headed to Washington.
The group met with Biden administration officials to express the urgency of the migrant crisis. Johnson said the city is projected to have spent over $300 million on asylum seekers by the end of this year.
"The $40 million that it's costing the City of Chicago every single month to provide care for these individuals who are seeking asylum, that is not sustainable," he said.
The mayor's trip included a visit with the Illinois House Delegation and a meeting with senators while the process to balance next year's city budget is ongoing at City Hall. Aldermen have expressed concern over how the city can continue to pay for the migrant crisis in addition to supporting the city's regular functions.
Chicago has spent $116 million welcoming migrants as of Sept. 29, 2023, but that doesn't include spending by the Chicago Park District ($270,000), Chicago Public Schools ($1.4 million), and Cook County Health ($15.8 million).
Previously, the city estimated they would be facing a funding gap between $158 million to $201 million just to cover the rest of migrant support this year.
In a letter, the big city mayors have asked the Biden administration for $5 billion. Biden has only asked Congress for $1.4 billion. They also asked for accelerated approval of work authorization and a more coordinated entry process for migrants.
"This is all at the president's door," said Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th). "He's not doing anything. He's given us something that's not sustainable."
CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe reports the trip also comes as the mayor faces opposition at home over the city's handling of the crisis.
Some of that opposition will come in the form of a protest Thursday afternoon in the Morgan Park neighborhood. Community activists will speak out against the city's plan to build a base camp for migrants on 115th and Halsted.
The Committee on Housing and Real Estate earlier this week backed a proposal to have the city purchase a 6.5-acre site from Jewel's parent company Albertson's for $1 to use the site to set up a so-called "base camp" of winterized tents for up to 1,400 asylum seekers.
Community activists argue it's a safety issue.
They also want to file an injunction against the city.
Meanwhile, the Johnson administration has been tight-lipped about reports that the old Museum of Broadcast Communication in River North could be used to house migrants.
The mayor was asked about it three times Wednesday and he wouldn't budge, only saying his team is looking at lots of spaces.
A special City Council meeting was scheduled for Thursday where members were expected to discuss that push as well as let voters decide if Chicago should remain a sanctuary city.
