Chicago migrants to be limited to 60-day stays inside shelters

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson's first-ever budget vote sailed through the City Council on Wednesday.

The final tally was 41 aldermen voting in favor with just eight votes in opposition.

The nearly $17 billion budget includes no property tax increases, raises spending for police and earmarks $150 million for asylum seekers, who Johnson said will now be limited to 60-day stays inside Chicago shelters. 

"This approach that we have right here is to make sure that we are addressing the anxiety and fear that people have whether you are a taxpayer or whether you are someone who is seeking asylum in the city of Chicago, while also speaking to the hopes and aspirations," said Johnson. "Here's what this 60-day tiered approach does: it puts some onus on all levels of government to help move with some expedition and get people to work."

On Thursday, more details are expected to be released about the city's 60-day plan, including the implementation of new state programs designed to help migrants transition out of shelters and into permanent housing.

The mayor discussed his plan only briefly, offering few details, while basking in the glow of his budget victory. But Johnson promised to put some meat on the bone during a Friday briefing. The goal, he said, is to more quickly move asylum-seekers out of shelters and into work and self-sufficiency.

"We are increasing personnel at the landing zone and staging areas to facilitate connections to other destinations for individuals who do not wish to stay in Chicago and re-unite them with family members and sponsors," Johnson said.

"We are implementing a tiered, 60-day shelter limit, combined with robust case management and workforce access to move new arrivals through our system to self-sufficiency," the mayor said.

Sources later told the Sun-Times that Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday plans to announce additional assistance to deal with the influx of migrants, to the tune of approximately $160 million.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.