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Migrant crisis: State to build heated intake center on Near West Side

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - As we head into the coldest part of the year, the state of Illinois plans to open an intake center on Chicago's Near West Side this month to help process migrants.

Six heated tents are under construction for the intake center at Chicago's landing zone at Desplaines and Polk for the steady stream of buses bringing asylum seekers from Texas. The site will be ready in a few weeks, Governor Pritzker said.


The Pritzker administration said migrants will be able to get services and help connecting with sponsors or moving on to other locations at the center. They estimate the center will cut the need for shelter for new arrivals by 10%.

The State said its partnership with New Life Centers and Catholic Charities has placed 2,500  migrants with friends or family so far,  diverting them from shelters.

However, the surge of migrants coming from Texas in one week around Christmas required the state to use a temporary shelter at an unnamed Chicago hotel.

After environmental concerns sank construction of a shelter in Brighton Park, the State predicts one in Little Village will open this month.

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