CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters that limited evictions from migrant shelters will start Saturday for some people who have stayed past the previously announced 60-day limit.
Johnson told reporters Wednesday that the evictions won’t impact every migrant family who has been in a shelter for 60 days or more without finding more permanent housing.
The mayor said even under the current — though previously extended — 60-day limit on stays in migrant shelters, there have been exceptions for things like pregnancy, health issues, or if an individual is in the process of securing housing.
He didn’t give an exact number of how many people will not be exempt from the evictions, though Johnson said processes remain in place to allow them to return to Chicago’s migrant landing zone to start the process of finding shelter again.
The city previously delayed the deadline more than once, and earlier on Wednesday, a group of over a dozen alderpersons signed onto a letter requesting the mayor to scrap the deadline entirely.
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) wrote the letter, which was signed by 17 other alderpersons and called for limits on shelter stays to be handled on a case-by-case basis.
The letter also asks the Johnson Administration to encourage the state to put more money toward housing assistance.
Johnson insists the shelters were never meant to be permanent housing. But he's also said he doesn't intend to just turn families out on the street.
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