(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city will not be spending more federal pandemic relief funds on migrant care.
Reporters questioned Johnson Thursday, after state and county leaders announced plans to spend another $250 million on migrants. Johnson decided against committing another $70 million, saying the deal is not just about financial resources.
“Remember that the state of Illinois committed to 2,000 beds back in November, and we are still working out and flushing out the details around that,” Johnson said.
The mayor has proposed raising the city’s real-estate transfer tax to address homelessness, while more than 70% of the city’s federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic assistance money remains available. He dismissed the notion of using ARPA funds for migrants.
“So first of all I’m going to spend all that money, I can assure you that. And we’re going to make sure that the communities that have been impacted the most by gross disinvestment, that those dollars reach those communities,” Johnson said.