City Council members call for resignation of leaders responsible for failed Brighton Park migrant camp
CHICAGO - Chicago City Council members penned a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday, calling for the ‘immediate resignation’ of several city officials after the state struck down plans for a migrant encampment in Brighton Park.
The ‘winterized tent city’ was being constructed on a 9.5-acre lot located at 38th Street and California Avenue, and was the topic of heated debate for months.
Governor J.B. Pritzker made the final call to stop construction Tuesday after state experts uncovered "serious environmental concerns" upon review of a nearly 800-page report conducted by Terracon Consultants, Inc.
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), and Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday calling for the immediate resignation of department leaders responsible for the failed shelter.
"The City of Chicago needs individuals who are serious, deliberative and collaborative in addressing the ongoing migrant asylum-seeker crisis that began in August 2022 and continues to this day," the letter stated.
Residents have been strongly opposed to the site since the location was pitched, saying the land was contaminated.
"This is a site where the city knew it had contaminants, but was forcing this issue down the throats of a community that did not want it. The community warned the administration that there were contaminants here and it was totally ignored," said Beale during a press conference Wednesday.
The alderpeople asked that the following city officials resign for their involvement in the process:
- Garien Gatewood
- Beatriz Ponce de Leon
- Lori Lypson
- Alyxandra Goodwin
- Cristina Pacione-Zayas
- Maura McCauley
- Matthew Richards
"What we have seen in Brighton Park, however, does not show members of your administration as being either serious, deliberative or collaborative in addressing this issue. Taxpayer funds are now wasted after a failed attempt to build on highly cancerous soil, without permits, without true community engagement, without a plan that is respectful to those whom so many performatively articulate sanctuary for in our city," the letter continued.
"They failed in this moment. We cannot allow them to continue to drive policy here in the City of Chicago – not only putting the lives of those individuals at risk, but putting taxpayers on the hook for future litigation once those health issues that we know are probable impact the migrants whom we’ve welcomed," said Lopez.
In response, a spokesperson with the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson said the correspondence is ‘not serious,’ and instead ‘attacks’ the very people working to solve this humanitarian crisis.
The statement continues:
"Between November and December of 2022, eight buses of asylum seekers arrived in Chicago. From November 1, 2023, to today, December 6, 2023, Chicago has received 102 buses of asylum seekers. From 8 to 102.
"Our administration remains focused on housing and providing resources for new arrivals, as well as unhoused Chicagoans and residents, who, for generations, have experienced neglect and disinvestment in our city.
"We will continue collaborating with anyone taking this work seriously."
With the shutdown of the Brighton Park encampment taking place mid-construction, the conversation now continues over where to house new arrivals.
The state says it will go back to the drawing board and plans to reconsider housing migrants in a shuttered CVS located at 26th and Pulaski in Little Village.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, parishioners at a Back of the Yards church performed a traditional holiday ritual in honor of newcomers.
At Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, members of the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership gathered to celebrate the Posadas.
There, faith leaders from various churches shared a message of solidarity, and say they are hopeful that despite division, Chicago will stand strong as a welcoming city.
"We will be re-enacting what Mary and Joseph went through during their time leading up to the birth of Christ, and there were a lot of people not welcoming them as well, so the parallels are very great," said Anthony Williams, board president, Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership.
The ritual, that culminated in a neighborhood march, aimed to encourage community members – especially during the holiday season – to welcome those in need with open arms.
"We have to continue to be a welcoming city for all people," said Williams. "Not just a welcoming city but a welcoming nation."
As of Wednesday, less than 550 migrants were waiting for shelter placement in Chicago. Most of them are still living at local police districts, while about 150 others are staying at O’Hare until beds become available.
According to city officials, 14 of 22 police districts have been completely cleared.