(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A Chicago City Council committee has approved a $70 million infusion of migrant assistance over the concerns of some alders.
The Johnson Administration sought the allocation as part of a broader strategy to pool state and county resources to care for new arrivals who continue to be sent here from the U.S. Southern Border. City government has already spent more than $100 million.
The Finance Committee voted 20-8 on Monday to earmark $70 million to house, feed and help migrants in Chicago. But it was a difficult vote for many, including downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward.
He said spending on this scale will create shortfalls in city budgets within the next couple of years.
Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th, who represents the Chinatown community, lent her support but said constituents will want to know how the money is spent and whether it’s making a difference.
“It doesn’t necessarily seem to be moving the needle,” she said.
West Side Ald. Chris Taliaferro was a “no” vote, saying his area is being neglected while the city is moving millions for migrants.
The supplemental funding measure now goes to the full Chicago City Council.
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