Are Davis and other Illinois Reps failing Chicago?
Jesus Garcia is the only Congressperson insisting on more federal help for migrants
When we look at members of the United States House of Representatives who represent the city of Chicago and nearby areas we see there is a strong African-American contingent and one might they would be more supportive of ensuring Black people’ gaining necessary assistance, compared to putting migrants first. U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis historically has been an outspoken supporter of immigrant rights.
For whatever reason, the overwhelming majority of Congresspersons have failed to try to help the city navigate the migrant crisis through federal support.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, and hits predecessor former Mayor Lori Lightfoot have repeatedly explained Chicago doesn’t have the financial resources to address what has been described as a “ humanitarian crisis.” The solution both mayors identified rests with more federal funding. Chicago, already operating with a budget deficit, has spent at least $20 million to date, housing, feeding and transporting asylum-seekers arriving from Texas. Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) estimated two weeks ago that the district-also facing a deficit-will spend $750,000 on a welcoming/resource center for migrants on the city’s North Side. When the final accounting is completed, no one should be shocked the total is likely to exceed $1 million. Public sector officials have a strong tendency to soft pedal numbers for pet projects.
Over the years, Davis has been an outspoken proponent of immigration reform, including preventing state and local law enforcement from entering workplaces to search and arrest undocumented workers. However, that voice has been missing concerning Chicago’s present plight. He is the most senior member of the House members representing this area; and his district is predominantly African American.
Former Cook County Commissioner, now U.S. Rep from the Illinois Fourth District, has pushed for expedited work permits for those who have been bussed from Texas to Chicago. The working theory there is the sooner they can be employed, the sooner they will be able to afford private housing.
However, Garcia’s urgings don’t alleviate the financial pinch Chicago is undergoing. One would think that with Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s(Ninth District) seat on the House Budget Committee and Davis being a member of the Ways and Means Committee there could be a strategy devised to direct dollars to migrant relief. While the nine Democrats’ districts don’t all directly touch the city limits, it is a given that what happens in Chicago can and does influence the surrounding areas. That is why it is to the advantage of every sitting Illinois Rep. to look at how to assist in this unprecedented crisis.
More federal financial support translates into Chicago will having the opportunity to use its budget to address fiscal matters that impact and assist residents with long tenure in the city. Chicago is struggling not only with the budget deficit, but every dollar directed away from the pensions’ arrearage puts the city in a deeper financial hold.
At least publicly, Mayor Johnson has not called upon the Illinois delegation to develop any assistance program; instead he chooses a series of public-facing activities that only serve to raise his visibility and fails to advance a solution for the migrant issue or the fiscal matters. Maybe that is why the members of Congress representing the area aren’t rushing to Chicago’s aid. We have witnessed the mayor essentially ignore the local business community and the assistance it can bring; so not reaching out to our delegation doesn’t really come as a surprise.
In New York City where Mayor Eric Adams, who is also in his first term, and is facing a similar crisis, migrants are sleeping outside. The mayor is adamant that that city is out of room and stated while the migrants will be sleeping outside, the city will “localize” where they can stay. NYC issued a $432 million contract to a firm that provided testing during the pandemic. That firm, DocGo, was contracted to assist with migrant intake.
Adams also is replicating Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s strategy and bussing some asylum-seekers out of the city and to the state capitol of Albany.