CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced plans to move migrants who are currently housed at five Chicago Park District field houses to make room for summer programming.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) praised his community for stepping up to help in the migrant crisis but said there have been setbacks. According to Lopez, many people in the neighborhood have been voicing concerns.
“This has not been an easy 10 months for our community,” Lopez said.
On Monday, the City of Chicago announced that five park district facilities will no longer be used to house migrants and programming will soon return.
They say migrants will begin transitioning to other shelters in the city by the end of March.
“Your voices have been heard,” Lopez said.
According to the city, the following facilities will resume programming:
- Piotrowski (Lillian) Park in South Lawndale
- Brands Park in Avondale
- Leone Beach Park in Rogers Park
- Broadway Armory Park in Edgewater
- Gage (George) Park in Gage Park
Ald. Lopez said migrants without children are being at the Gage Park facility.
“I fully intended, at that time, that the Gage Park center be a temporary shelter and I had hoped all wards, all wards, would share the burden this federal crisis has created,” Lopez said.
Alderman Lopez said while he is proud of Gage Park for stepping up to help the city’s migrant crisis, the neighborhood has seen setbacks as a result.
“There are limits to our generosity though,” Lopez said.
According to Lopez, there have been reports of drug use, loitering, robbery and even prostitution outside and around the field house.
“I will be in contact with Superintendent Larry Snelling and my local commanders to discuss what we can do now, both in the short and long term, to bring public safety back,” Lopez said.
Those who live near and around the field house said they are relieved by the decision.
“My kids can’t go outside, nobody’s kids can go outside,” Lawrence Jones, who lives nearby said.
One overjoyed neighbor even hugged the 15th ward alderman upon learning the news.
“We are neighborhood-oriented, we protect our neighborhood,” Julio Ocampo, another resident in the area said.
Others say the park provides programs many people in the area rely on, including programs for those with special needs.
Ald. Lopez said while this is a breath of relief for many, the city still needs a long-term solution.
“If we don’t use this time now to get our act together we could very well be back in the same situation,” Lopez said
Ald. Lopez said once all migrants are placed at other shelters, the city will evaluate any repairs that need to be made to the field house so they can open it back up to the community as soon as possible.