Chicago residents are expressing frustration with local leaders for allegedly neglecting the city’s homeless population while focusing on accommodating migrants. As the city grapples with the need to provide shelter for migrants, some residents believe that resources should also be allocated to address the issue of homelessness.
According to data from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, there are currently over 300 migrants on warming buses and nearly 15,000 migrants in Chicago shelters as temperatures drop. Additional migrants are awaiting placement at various locations, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
During an interview on Fox & Friends, Chicago residents Cata Truss and Sam Sanchez raised concerns about the allocation of resources. Truss questioned whether warming buses would also be provided to homeless individuals in locations like Canal Street, Roosevelt, and Division Street. Truss also highlighted the city’s projected deficit of $391 billion for its Public Schools and argued that the city lacks the resources to continue supporting illegal immigrants.
Sanchez echoed these concerns, stating that American citizens and migrants awaiting work visas have been neglected in favor of asylum seekers. He questioned why homeless residents couldn’t be accommodated in upscale hotels with comprehensive services. Sanchez further expressed frustration that resources have suddenly been allocated to newcomers while long-neglected communities still lack essential services such as education and job training programs.
Both Truss and Sanchez believe that citizens’ frustrations may manifest at the ballot box during the upcoming November elections. They criticized President Biden, Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, and Mayor Brandon Johnson for their handling of the situation. Truss specifically pointed out the lack of resolution from the Biden administration, while Sanchez emphasized that the voices of the people are going unheard despite their support for elected officials.
Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged that the current situation is “not sustainable” and called for significant federal government support to address the crisis effectively. He warned that the issue extends beyond Chicago and affects the entire country, emphasizing the need for substantial federal investment to manage the situation.
