A woman, Marimar Martinez, was shot five times by Border Patrol agents after allegedly chasing them in Brighton Park; body-camera footage suggests she was provoked with the comment 'Do something, b----' before the shooting, contradicting government claims that she drove toward officers. She was released pending trial, and the incident sparked protests and an FBI investigation into other drivers involved in the chase.
The state government rejected the city's plans for a migrant tent encampment in Brighton Park after construction was already underway and soil contamination was found. Other stories covered by Block Club Chicago this week include the extensive fire damage to the Swift Mansion in Bronzeville, the opening of Heat by Niko, a black-owned fur coat store in the West Loop, and various community events and initiatives in neighborhoods across Chicago.
Three Chicago aldermen are calling for the immediate resignation of the leaders responsible for the failed Brighton Park migrant camp site. The aldermen sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson demanding the resignations of several individuals involved in the process. The decision to cancel the migrant camp came after a review by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, as the site was found to be on highly cancerous soil and lacked permits and community engagement. The aldermen argue that taxpayer funds were wasted and that the individuals involved failed to address the migrant crisis effectively.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responds after the state halts plans to build a migrant base camp in the Brighton Park neighborhood due to environmental concerns. The state cited insufficient soil sampling and remediation, revealing levels of mercury and other contaminants that exceeded environmental limits. The mayor remains committed to his mission of providing shelter for asylum seekers and plans to explore alternate locations. The state will expedite efforts to launch a brick-and-mortar shelter in the Little Village neighborhood and work with the Archdiocese of Chicago to find more options.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced the cancellation of a proposed migrant camp in Brighton Park, Chicago, citing serious environmental concerns. An environmental report released by the city revealed the presence of heavy metals and toxic chemicals at the site, prompting the state to halt construction. The decision highlights divisions between the mayor and governor's offices, with the mayor suggesting the site could be made safe, while the state disagreed. The governor's office is now working with the city and exploring alternative shelter options. Over 600 migrants currently remain camped out at police stations and O'Hare airport.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has pulled state funding from a migrant base camp in Brighton Park, citing serious environmental concerns and stating that the nine-acre property is not suitable for residential use. Construction had already begun on the camp, but the state's decision to halt it has strained relations between Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. The city had chosen the site to provide shelter for 2,000 migrants, but the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declined to certify the site as safe. Plans for a second base camp at another location are still being finalized.
The state of Illinois has decided not to proceed with the construction of an asylum seeker shelter in Brighton Park after an environmental review by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) raised concerns about contaminated properties and inadequate soil sampling and remediation. As a result, the state is now working with the City of Chicago to identify alternate shelter options. Efforts are also being expedited to launch a brick-and-mortar shelter site in Little Village, with plans to accommodate 200 beds for families and people with disabilities. The state is collaborating with the Archdiocese of Chicago to find additional sites, while ensuring the safety and well-being of asylum seekers.
The State of Illinois has announced that a plan to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at a vacant Brighton Park lot will not proceed due to environmental concerns. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency cited insufficient soil sampling and remediation as reasons for halting the construction. The state will work with the city to identify alternate shelter options. The decision comes after an environmental report found high levels of mercury and other contaminants on the site. The state is moving forward with a brick-and-mortar shelter site in Little Village instead.
An emergency hearing is scheduled to determine whether construction of a migrant base camp in Brighton Park, Chicago, will be halted after a report revealed contamination at the site. Environmental advocates argue that this is another example of unfair treatment towards the Southwest Side community. Despite the city's claim that the most problematic toxins were disposed of off-site and the land is safe, residents and activists are calling for the cancellation of the contract and for safer shelter options for the asylum seekers. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is still reviewing the environmental report, and if they don't approve it, the project will not move forward.
Plans for the construction of a migrant camp in Brighton Park, Chicago, are awaiting approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) after an environmental report revealed contamination at the proposed site. The report found chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, lead, and manganese in the soil. The city has started removing the chemicals and placed a stone barrier to limit access to potentially risky areas. The camp aims to temporarily house up to 2,000 migrants by mid-December. Some protesters are calling for the project to be shut down permanently, while the number of migrants living in police stations has decreased to 527.
The construction of a migrant camp in Brighton Park, Chicago, is nearing completion despite protests from the local community. The mayor's office released an 800-page environmental report on the project, which highlighted the need for remediation due to mercury-contaminated soil and the presence of a human carcinogen. The report has raised concerns about potential lawsuits and the safety of migrants in the future. The city claims that the site is safe for temporary residential use, with measures such as the placement of a layer of crushed clean stone to address remaining contamination.
A nearly 800-page report released by City Hall revealed the presence of heavy metals, toxic contaminants, and other hazardous substances, including arsenic, mercury, lead, and cyanide, at a Southwest Side site in Brighton Park that is being prepared to house newly arrived migrants. Despite the detection of these contaminants at levels requiring cleanup, city officials deemed the site "safe for temporary residential use" after removing the most problematic levels of contamination. The privately owned industrial land, leased by the city, will house up to 2,000 migrants, pending approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The city's consultant stated that additional contamination cannot be ruled out, and if discovered, activities should be halted. The site's history of industrial use necessitated environmental testing to ensure human health and safety.
The mayor's office in Chicago has released an 800-page environmental report on a potential migrant tent camp site in Brighton Park. The report reveals the presence of contaminants, including mercury and DEHP, a human carcinogen. The consultants hired by the city have removed and disposed of the mercury, while the contaminated soil will also be removed. The city claims that with these remediations, the site is safe for temporary residential use. The plan is to house approximately 1,500 people at the site, and construction has already begun.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Brighton Park, Chicago, to oppose the proposed winter camp for asylum-seekers. The camp is planned to be built on a vacant lot, and the protesters voiced their opposition by rallying near the site and marching to the ward office of Ald. Julia Ramirez. They suggested that homeless residents be placed in vacant properties instead and that the asylum-seeker camps be built in unincorporated areas with their own schools and facilities. Some residents demanded that government officials consult with the community before proceeding with the camp.
The neighborhood of Brighton Park in Chicago, known for its history of welcoming immigrants, is divided over plans to convert an empty lot into a winterized tent complex for over 2,000 migrants, many of them Venezuelan. While some residents see the encampment as an opportunity to help newcomers and draw on their own experiences as immigrants, others view it as a threat to the neighborhood's stability and safety. The city officials argue that the tents are the best option to address the overwhelming influx of migrants, but critics question the feasibility and humanity of housing people in tents during the harsh winter months. The debate highlights the challenges faced by cities as they grapple with the ongoing arrival of migrants and the strain it puts on social services and community cohesion.
