Unveiling financial strain caused by migrants exiting Chicago amidst ongoing crisis
Since 2022, over 35,000 migrants, primarily from Texas, have been directed to Chicago. However, a notable aspect of this influx is the considerable number of asylum-seekers who, after arriving at a significant cost to government agencies, decide to move elsewhere. This double migration trend, as uncovered by an ABC7 data investigation, is exacerbating the crisis, catching Illinois off guard and placing immense strain on government resources and finances.
Information was elicited from Illinois state officials to determine the scale of migrants arriving and departing. The subsequent data investigation brings to light the intricate financial dynamics involved in both aspects of migration.
Migrants have been transported to Illinois through various means, including flights from Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott has expelled individuals. Additionally, thousands have been bused from the border zone, turning individuals fleeing their homelands into not only political talking points and subjects of humanitarian debates but also financial burdens on government ledgers.