CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Governor Pritzker said the City of Chicago, with some State assistance, is doing as good a job as possible in handling the migrant crisis, expecting both that and the crime problems to be well in hand during next year’s Democratic National Convention.
While he has at times differed with the Johnson Administration’s handling of the migrant crisis here, Pritzker had no criticisms on Monday. He told a Crain’s Chicago lunch crowd that Brandon Johnson’s administration is doing its best to manage an unmanageable migrant influx. He knows Republicans will be trying to put the City in a bad light during the convention.
“I think there will be critics, there’s no doubt…I think Republicans will do everything they can to stoke any challenge that we have, including sending more buses. You know they’ll try to do that,” Pritzker said. “The city is going to be secure, there’s no doubt about it. Every level of law enforcement is on the ground already here, planning for that convention.”
Law enforcement executed a similar plan when Chicago hosted the 2012 NATO Summit. It had its own share of challenges.
Pritzker said the State is stepping up too during this migrant crisis.
“With winter approaching, we just needed to help in a significant way,” said Prizkter.
He suggested the challenge can be met.
“There is a big difference in how things are being managed here in Chicago to make sure people are getting shelter, healthcare, food and work permits, worth authorizations,” Priztker said.
With the White House granting the authorizations, he said migrants who work can take pressure off the shelters.
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