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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
Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez of the 25th Ward speaks passionately to his colleagues and the many public speakers who testified at the May 31st Chicago City Council meeting. He urged unity and mutual support, appealing to those who stood both for and against the proposed $51 million to be provided to the migrants seeking asylum in Chicago. Migrant families are currently sleeping on the floors of police stations., but opponents of the funding pointed out that many Chicagoans have been sleeping outdoors on concrete for decades. The ordinance passed, 43 Yes votes, 3 No vote and 4 absent. Alderpersons Anthony Beale (9), David Moore (17) and James Gardiner (45) voted No.
In a press conference after chairing his first City Council Meeting, Mayor Brandon Johnson first announced a new program to encourage restaurants to provide outdoor seating as a way to expand their businesses and add to the attraction of tourists to the neighborhoods. Then, going around the room to each media representative, he addressed the current controversy of proposed funding for housing of migrant asylum seekers, in the midst of the neglect of Chicago's growing homeless population. The City Council deferred a vote on the issue until the Wednesday May 31 meeting..
More than 7,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago via buses and planes since August 2022, when Texas Governor Greg Abbott began sending migrants who crossed the United States - Mexican border into Texas to cities with Democrats as Mayor. He reportedly did this to protest Federal immigration policies. The crisis which began during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration was inherited by newly elected Mayor Brandon Johnson. He spoke to those at the police station, to promising the homeless migrants they would be welcomed in Chicago..
After a rousing Inaugural Speech on Monday, May 15, 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson headed to City Hall where long lines of citizens awaited him, seeking an opportunity to shake hands and take a photo with their new Mayor inside his fifth floor office.
Perhaps signaling his "open door" policy as Chicago's new leader, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke to members of the press, posed for pictures with his constituents, and, joined by City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, promised an accessible and inclusive administration.
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