ON AIR DAILY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

CHICAGO - In its second meeting under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago City Council voted to spend $51 million in funding from the 2021 budget surplus to pay for food, transportation and shelter for migrants from Central and South America who were bussed to Chicago from Texas. Chicago residents representing both sides of the issue were allowed to present testimony at the Council meeting Wednesday May 31, 2023.  Alderman David Moore (17) was one of the three "No" votes on the ordinance. He made an impassioned plea for his colleagues to also vote "No" and to first take care of the neglected residents who have been asking for help for years. He noted that the 17th Ward represents both African American and Hispanic residents whose needs have too long been ignored. Photo by Marcus Robinson.

Likely anticipating the intensity of discussion on the issue of Chicago providing $51 million to recent migrants, Mayor Brandon Johnson set a tone of order, cooperation and civility in his first City Council meeting Wednesday March 24, 2023. The vote on the controversial issue was deferred to the following week, May 31st. Many of the community activists who had not been able to get inside the Council chambers the previous week were allowed to sign up to speak and were given time to express their frustration and dismay at the situation, whether strongly in favor or strongly opposed to the ordinance. Although at times Mayor Johnson had to repeatedly call for order, all points of view were heard before the final vote was taken. Some Aldermen promised to also support a proposed Reparations bill for African Americans. Photo by Marcus Robinson