CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Governor Pritzker says he is concerned about word that the Johnson Administration is pulling back from opening any new City-run migrant shelters, even as the asylum seekers keep arriving.
A report from Politico said Mayor Johnson has told some alderpersons the City hasn't been opening any new shelters because the cost is too high.
One alderman at the meetings last week blames a lack of help from the federal government. Immigration is a federal issue.
Governor Pritzker read that report too.
"I'm deeply concerned," Pritzker said. "We do not have enough shelter as it is in the city of Chicago. The City has not told the State where they would like us to put our resources to build new shelters or help them build new shelters…We can't help if they can't identify those locations."
Ald. William Hall said the City is working hard to find more permanent housing for the new arrivals. He said it's about resources.
"We need to see the federal support," Hall said. "What we're seeing now is a lot of funding beginning to dry up, where as vouchers that came from the State used to be six months, now they're are three months. What we're seeing now, again, is temporary housing in our shelters to essentially get people into permanent housing and or work permits and or other wrap-around services available."
The governor said the State has committed $160 million to help care for migrants.
Monday, Pritzker was one of one of several Democratic governors urging the federal government to provide more assistance to states and cities that are receiving thousands of migrants.
In a letter to President Biden and Congress, Pritzker and other governors called the country's immigration system "outdated and unprepared" to respond to the record number of migrants arriving in states and cities.
Governors said "political motivations" are delaying much-needed help, and they're urging the approval of Biden's multi-billion dollar funding request for a federal migration strategy to provide funding and coordination for states and cities receiving new arrivals.
The letter, led by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, was signed by a total of nine governors.
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