CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --Hundreds more migrants are headed toward Chicago after a plane from Texas lands in Rockford overnight, along with several buses arriving in the suburbs.
Three hundred and fifty-five asylum seekers arrived at the Rockford International Airport Saturday night on an airplane from Texas, according to multiple statements from the City of Rockford. They were immediately loaded onto buses chartered by Texas Governor Greg Abbot.
The migrants were then sent to various suburbs to eventually make their way to Chicago via train, bus, or other methods.
It’s far from the only arrival this final weekend of 2023 as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s "Operation Lonestar." Buses dropped off at least 100 migrants at Metra stations in Woodstock, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Hinsdale. Most then were slated to arrive in Chicago by train.
Mike Turner, Mayor of Woodstock said in a Facebook post that the city is working on crafting a "bus ordinance" similar to the version passed by Chicago, Aurora, McHenry and other communities. The Buffalo Grove Village Board will meet Tuesday to also consider an ordinance to control unscheduled migrant drop-offs.
"It is my firm belief that we should discourage and penalize bus companies who use Woodstock as a dumping ground," Turner stated.
The City of Rockford said in its latest update on the situation that it is not aware of any other flights from Texas coming into Rockford. However, officials will remain in contact with the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
"If we get more of these flights, we will activate our local Emergency Operations Center to coordinate logistics and planning to ensure the safety of all involved throughout this process."
According to a City of Chicago spokesperson, there are now just under 15,000 newly- arrived migrants living in 27 active shelters city wide, with just under 600 people awaiting placement.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, commented on this latest boost in arrivals, saying that no communication came from Texas on this second recorded instance of asylum seekers being transported by plane. However, authorities in Rockford did immediately give Chicago a heads up upon their landing.
More than 27,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since late last year.
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