Chicago officials tear up Lightfoot’s handling of migrant crisis in tense council meeting: ‘Dropped the ball’

A Chicago City Council meeting got heated on Wednesday as those in attendance debated a $20 million ordinance to help illegal migrants settle in the area.

Several councilors called for further discussion of Ordinance 11-24 and how the money would be spent, citing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration on the issue as being unclear Fox 32 Chicago.

Migrant camps have been a source of particular anger as councilors complained about a lack of direction for the future – over 287 illegal migrants are currently being held in the former Wadsworth Primary School building and 120 more are set to be moved there.

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“The administration dropped the ball by telling people where these camps will be. And now that they’re closing, we’re getting more people into the community,” complained Jeannette Taylor, councilwoman for the 20th Ward. “So the school in Maria Hadden’s community was closed, and of course these migrants were sent to Wadsworth, which is a closed school.”

“With all due respect, there should have been a conversation with us. In fact, this was a conversation I asked for back in October and I’m confused how again here we’re trying to pass something without having a conversation,” she added.

Lightfoot addressed Taylor’s criticism in a statement, claiming the councilwoman’s claims were misguided.

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“Councillor Taylor said a number of things today in relation to immigrants and the Wadsworth School’s direct engagement that are patently and demonstrably wrong. Engagement with Taylor on Wadsworth began last fall and has continued this year with Mayor Lightfoot himself, mayoral officials and others. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply wrong,” Lightfoot said in a statement to Fox 32.

Chicago 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeannette Taylor criticized Mayor Lori Lightfoot for her handling of the influx of migrants during a city council meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (Mayor Lori Lightfoot)

Residents gather at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood to discuss plans to house migrants in the vacant Wadsworth Elementary School building. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

According to Lightfoot, her administration tried to keep councilors informed about welfare benefits for migrants, but attendance at briefings was low.

“Since this crisis hit our city, we have sought advice from a number of community stakeholders, including the City Council, General Assembly and elected federal officials, as well as the faith community and a number of social service organizations,” Lightfoot claimed.

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“In particular, we have endeavored to keep all levels of government informed and informed through more than 17 formal briefings, 9 of which were specifically for councillors. Unfortunately, despite advance notice, these briefings were rarely attended by City Council members,” she added.

But Taylor’s grievances have been echoed by several other councilors – many of whom are calling for a special meeting to discuss how to remove the council from the mayor’s scrutiny.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her wife Amy Eshleman, right, wave to supporters during the Women for Lori Rally. (AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)

“Who makes these decisions, doesn’t talk to anyone and then goes, ‘Oh, we’re sorry.’ You’re not sorry because you’ve been doing it for more than six months. That’s why I’m against it,” said Leslie Hairston, Councilor for the 5th Ward.

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City council members have complained that their legislature does not function as an equal branch of city government.

“We had mayoral control of the city council for more than 60 years. It’s been too long,” said Alderman Matt O’Shea.