Chicago prepares for potential migrant surge during DNC

CHICAGO - With final preparations falling into place for next week's Democratic National Convention, some unanswered questions remain, including whether an influx of migrants will coincide with delegates arriving to Chicago.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott previously promised to flood sanctuary cities during the DNC, but the scale of his plan remains uncertain.

FOX 32 Chicago is learning that city officials – who were recently anticipating several thousand migrants next week – are not expecting a significant number any longer. However, that doesn’t mean they aren't still gearing up for it.

In the event of an uptick in asylum seekers sent to Chicago during the DNC, city officials say they will be ready.

There are currently more than 5,000 available beds across citywide migrant shelters, but only time will tell if – and when – they will be filled.

A city spokesperson tells FOX 32 Chicago they have a strategic plan in place to "prepare for any sudden increases" in new arrivals.

Their full statement reads: "The City remains committed to welcoming asylum seekers with dignity and compassion. Working in partnership with Cook County and the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago has developed a strategic plan to prepare for any sudden increases in new arrivals in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention. As part of that strategic plan, the City is maintaining sufficient bed capacity in our existing temporary shelters and preparing sites in the event that new temporary emergency shelters need to be activated on short notice."

City officials previously shared that they've applied for additional FEMA dollars, to help cover the costs of a possible surge.

FOX 32 Chicago reached out to the office of Gov. Abbott about his plans for next week but did not immediately hear back.

Over the last several months, the city has closed many of its temporary shelters. Still, there are about 5,500 migrants living across 17 city-run locations.

One of those shelters is located at Walnut Street and Paulina Street.

On Tuesday afternoon, Near West Side residents and business owners called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to shut it down.

"Every day there is chaos, crime, and danger," said Jake Setlak, who lives nearby.

They say there has been a spike in 911 calls due to increased drug activity, street fighting, and loitering.

"There were brawls, major fights down the street, never had any of this before," said Joanne Buege, owner, Cake Chicago.

Members of the Fulton Market Association, which represents local businesses, are demanding the city close the shelter by September 30.

"Here in my hand is a list of 400 calls to 911, from January through early May of this year. Four hundred calls," said Roger Romanelli, executive director of the Fulton Market Association, at a press conference.

The owners of Happy Tails & Trails and Cake Chicago say they are losing customers.

"I have personally seen drug deals go down almost weekly, I have seen children almost get hit," said Buege.

"There’s glass everywhere, some of these kids are barefoot. They need better conditions, it’s not fair to them, as well as ourselves," said Angelica Iga, owner, Happy Tails & Trails.

During the press conference, some migrants living in the shelter became upset and confronted those speaking out against it. The situation was quickly diffused by local officers.

"What we're saying to the mayor is that the only way Chicago survives, the only way, is that we set our laws and enforce our laws, and the mayor and the alderman have said that this street, this street and the entire corridor are for businesses only," said Romanelli. "OK, we have to help our businesses survive and operate."

Situated about a half-mile from the United Center, the shelter is just a stone’s throw from Union Park – the site of many planned DNC protests.

There is no official word yet on how much longer the shelter, located at 1644 W. Walnut Street, is slated to remain open.