Chicago Scraps Plans for Winter Camp for Migrants Due to Contaminated Site

The administration of Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Tuesday that plans for a temporary winter camp for migrants in Chicago have been scrapped due to concerns over contaminants at the former industrial site. This setback comes as Chicago struggles to accommodate over 24,000 migrants who have arrived from the border with Mexico since August of last year, with most arriving on buses sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, according to city data released on Tuesday.

Despite a partnership with religious leaders to provide temporary housing, hundreds of asylum-seekers are still awaiting placement at airports and police stations, with some of them camping on sidewalks outside precinct buildings. In response to the urgent need, the state allocated $65 million for a tent camp in Brighton Park that could house 2,000 migrants, as well as permanent structures at a 200-bed site in the Little Village neighborhood, prioritizing families and people with disabilities. Construction at the Brighton Park site began last week, but residents protested against it, citing concerns about pollution and potential health risks for the migrants.

An environmental report released on Friday identified contaminants at the site, including higher-than-expected levels of mercury and other substances. However, Mayor Brandon Johnson's office reassured the public on Monday, based on findings from consultant Terracon, that the shelter site was safe for temporary residential use. Nevertheless, after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency reviewed the environmental report, Governor Pritzker's office decided to cancel the project, stating that they would not proceed with housing families on a site with serious environmental concerns.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency concluded that further testing was necessary to ensure the safety of the site. Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim emphasized that the well-being of residents and workers was their highest priority and that current and planned conditions at the site did not adequately reduce the risks of human exposure to environmental conditions. Alderwoman Julia Ramirez, who represents the ward hosting the site, opposed the project due to safety concerns and expressed her relief that the Governor's office decided against using the contaminated lot for shelter. She emphasized the need to continue searching for safe shelter options.

Construction was halted on Monday while the state's environmental agency evaluated the report, which included laboratory results assessing the soil, groundwater, and soil gas at the site. The report highlighted excess levels of mercury, four metals, DEHP (a chemical found in plastic products), and two semivolatile organic compounds. The flagged samples of soil were removed and disposed of offsite, and a barrier was constructed to limit access to that soil.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's office reiterated on Monday that, with these precautions in place, the site was safe for temporary housing. However, after the project was canceled on Tuesday, Johnson told reporters that the mission to find shelter for immigrants sleeping outdoors was still ongoing. The city expressed its commitment to act swiftly, noting that while they were informed of the report and its findings, the state provided no additional guidance or raised concerns prior to beginning construction.

City officials did not immediately respond to inquiries about alternative sites. Yimara Pajaro, a Venezuelan seamstress who had been sleeping outside a South Side police station with her partner for two months, stated that she would not want to move to a shelter like the one planned for Brighton Park. She also expressed concern about the potential health risks posed by a polluted site, emphasizing that the health of migrants appeared to be disregarded.

In addition to Chicago, mayors in cities such as Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York have been calling for increased federal aid to accommodate the growing number of arrivals. These migrants have been bused to Democrat-led cities by Republican governors of Texas and Florida. Critics initially saw this as a political stunt, but as time has passed, these cities have struggled to cope with the influx while facing resource shortages.

The cancellation of the winter camp project in Chicago highlights the challenges faced by cities as they try to provide shelter for an increasing number of migrants. The issue of contaminated sites and potential health risks adds another layer of complexity to the situation. It remains to be seen how the city and state will address the ongoing need for safe and suitable housing for asylum-seekers.