Cook County residents irate over being forced to pay for an additional $70M to support migrants
Taxpayers in Illinois’ Cook County are slated to contribute an additional $70 million toward aiding migrants arriving in the Chicago area. Governor J.B. Pritzker announced this significant funding initiative, emphasizing the critical need for support as Chicago grapples with the influx of asylum seekers.
Recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals a 42 percent decrease in U.S.-Mexico border crossings from December to January. However, despite this decline, migration numbers remain elevated, reflecting ongoing challenges associated with illegal immigration during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside counterparts from New York City and Denver, urges the federal government and the Biden administration to provide additional financial aid to adequately shelter incoming migrants.
Governor Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle underscore the necessity of their joint funding plan, estimating a total requirement of $321 million to sustain shelter and services for asylum seekers throughout the year. Cook County taxpayers have already allocated $100 million from the current fiscal year budget towards migrant arrival costs.