Immigration

City Hall

City Council OKs $70 million in extra funding for migrant crisis

By a 30-18 vote, the Council approved the latest round of funding for a crisis that has highlighted racial divisions in the city.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Health

Measles case count reaches 63 in Chicago, but pace of new cases is subsiding

Another exposure location was reported at the Sam’s Club at 9400 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park, Cook County health officials said Thursday.

By Kade Heather

2024 Democratic National Convention

No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions

Democrats are deeply focused on Wisconsin and Michigan to help bolster President Joe Biden’s re-election chances — and officials, in town for meetings hosted by the Democratic National Convention Committee, say they plan on showing voters a deep party contrast.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

Cook County approves the sending of up to $70 million to Chicago to feed migrants

Commissioners widely supported sending cash to the city, but raised concerns about making sure the city uses the money for its intended use.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Walter "Slim" Coleman (center) speaks at a rally in the Loop called to protest an immigration raid in Little Village in 2007.

Obituaries

Walter 'Slim' Coleman, 'supreme organizer' who helped elect Mayor Harold Washington, dies at 80

Mr. Coleman led countless demonstrations in his six decades as an activist. “Slim believed the real power was in organization, putting people in the streets and packing people into government meetings,” said friend Michael Klonsky.

By Mitch Dudek

Carl Wolf, executive director of Respond Now, a non-profit in the south suburbs, says if more municipalities don’t want to use $20 million in Cook County grants to help migrants, they can pass the money through to organizations like his.

La Voz Chicago

El Condado de Cook tiene $20 millones para que los suburbios ayuden a los migrantes. La mayoría de los municipios no los solicita.

Algunos municipios dicen que ya están saturados. Organizaciones sin fines de lucro que trabajan para ayudar a los migrantes dicen que los suburbios podrían pasarles el dinero. Este viernes es el último día para solicitarlos.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (left) attends a news conference last year to endorse then mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson outside City Hall in the Loop.

City Hall

Preckwinkle bends ears, twists arms to help Johnson deliver $70 million in migrant funding

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was among those calling recalcitrant City Council members, urging them to support the migrant funding the mayor promised months ago. After the last-minute lobbying, the stage is set for full Council approval Wednesday.

By Fran Spielman

Immigration

Cook County is offering $20 million for suburbs to help migrants — but finding few takers

Some towns say they’re already overburdened. Nonprofit organizations working to help migrants say suburbs could pass the money to them.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

La Voz Chicago

El gobierno federal envía $19.3 millones para que Chicago y el estados cubran los gastos de los migrantes

“Este anuncio ayudará a equipar a la Municipalidad de Chicago y a nuestro estado para recibir a los solicitantes de asilo de forma segura y ordenada. Es importante recordar la gravedad de esta situación”, declaró el viernes Dick Durbin, senador demócrata por Illinois.

By Lynn Sweet

*** BESTPIX *** Texas National Guard Works To Secure Southern Border In El Paso

Editorials

Work permits for all undocumented immigrants? That's asking too much.

Advocates pushing President Biden to make this drastic, legally questionable move should stick with more reasonable measures to help a smaller number of undocumented immigrants, including DACA recipients.

By CST Editorial Board

Immigration

Feds send $19.3 million for Chicago, state of Illinois to cover soaring migrant costs

“This announcement will help equip the City of Chicago and our state in receiving asylum seekers in a safe and orderly fashion. It’s important to remember the gravity of this situation,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on Friday.

By Lynn Sweet

La Voz Chicago

Disminuye el brote de sarampión en Chicago

En la última semana se detectaron tres casos, después que la ciudad registrara más de 50 en menos de un mes.

By Kade Heather

City Hall

Mayor reverses course, will call for $70 million in funding for migrant care, key City Council member says

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), says city officials are acting based on their expectation that busing will ramp up again as the Democratic National Convention nears.

By Sophie Sherry

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stand together near a sign that says "Let Immigrants Work!"

Other Views

To jump-start the economy and provide workers, Biden should OK work permits for all undocumented immigrants

Two nonprofit leaders from Chicago make a case for the president to issue work permits to 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including 500,000 in Illinois.

By Raul Raymundo and Sylvia Puente

La Voz Chicago

300 migrantes serán alojados en una iglesia católica cerrada ubicada en el noroeste

Los recién llegados empezarán a instalarse en el refugio a mediados de abril, según informó la oficina del alcalde Brandon Johnson.

By Cindy Hernandez

News

300 migrants to be housed at shuttered Catholic church on Northwest Side

New arrivals will begin moving into the shelter mid-April, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said.

By Cindy Hernandez

La Voz Chicago

Johnson a Biden: los inmigrantes sin papeles también merecen permisos de trabajo

En el primer aniversario de su elección como alcalde, Johnson anunció una carta que firmó con dirigentes de otras ciudades en la que se instaba a Biden a presionar más al congreso para conseguir más permisos de trabajo para los inmigrantes.

By David Struett

Immigration

Evanston’s mayor wants to turn a vacant building into housing for migrants

The city is considering applying for a $20 million pot of money from Cook County meant to support suburbs to help migrants.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Immigration

Arab American community in Chicago says data from new racial category could help address disparities

The federal change to how Arab Americans will be identified in future census surveys comes after Illinois passed a law that added Middle Eastern or North African as a distinct racial category.

By Elvia Malagón

Former Heartland Alliance employee Olivia Moorer holds up a tote bag from Heartland at her home in Lincoln Park.

Chicago History

Heartbreak? Historic Heartland Alliance to spin off its divisions into separate entities

A spokesman for the nonprofit says the move to break up the organization was necessary to protect the “long-term viability” of the services provided by the organization founded by Jane Addams in 1888.

By Emmanuel Camarillo