Third Way: The Chicago Migrant Crisis: The Clear Disconnect Between Voters And Elected Officials

NBC Chicago

Residents in the Southside of Chicago recently filed a lawsuit against the city to prevent a local high school from being turned into a migrant center and further, to prevent any public buildings from being used to house migrants if they are not zoned as such. It is clear, from the press conference held by these residents, they are not anti-immigrant, merely fed up with their government’s lack of resources for them. Specifically, this shows the frustration of African American voters after continuously showing up for Democratic leaders. The African American population has been the most stable voting bloc for Democrats. However, these communities often feel ignored and taken for granted. This lawsuit demonstrates the clear divide between government promises and government action.

Background

This lawsuit was originally filed in May of this year when residents of Southside realized a local high school was going to be turned into a housing facility for migrants. These residents already traveled up to 15 miles away to get educated. As the founder of the lawsuit, Natasha Dunn, states, “We do not have a neighborhood high school.” This lawsuit was then dropped once the residents discovered the high school would not be turned into a housing center. Then, in September of this year, the residents re-opened the lawsuit and broadened the suit after learning thousands of migrants were still going to be sent to Chicago. So far, over 17,000 migrants have been sent to Chicago since August of 2022. The lawsuit argues that the use of public buildings as migrant housing is a nuisance to the community and accuses the city of violating zoning ordinances around the former high school and other public areas. The new lawsuit adds claims that the move to turn police stations into makeshift shelters, where migrants have been sleeping on floors for months, violates federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Therefore, this argument is not anti-immigrant as the residents of Chicago argue that the treatment of migrants is inhumane, yet they also recognize the importance of their own needs to be met by the government as well.

The Mayoral Election

Mayor Brandon Johnson was elected in April of this year, narrowly beating a more moderate Democratic opponent. As a progressive, he received endorsements from officials like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. His win as a progressive demonstrates the city’s clear frustration with the current direction of government. However, residents argue he has not followed through on the promises made to the communities that elected him. Lawyer for this case, Frank Avila, states, “Brandon Johnson won because of the African American community.” In other words, the group he ignores is the group that led him to victory. Natasha Dunn believes it is Johnson’s responsibility to, “Fully fund and create an office for Black Americans.” Clearly, there is a disconnect between the elected officials and the African American communities of Chicago.

The Disconnect

Both the Southside and Westside of Chicago have had high rates of poverty for years. Many residents see this move by the local government to place migrants in their residential areas as unacceptable. They are not given the resources they need and now are expected to house people who also need large amounts of help and resources. So far, Mayor Johnson has estimated the cost of migrants in  Chicago will cost the city $320 million by year’s end. The founder of the lawsuit, Natasha Dunn, explains their frustration, “We are seeing resources fly out to help, but we are not getting that type of support at the magnitude we are seeing now.” Further, another member of the community, Marjani Williams explains the situation, “A lack of planning has exacerbated this disaster and now it is coming on the backs of Black folks and other underrepresented folks who have been in the city for generations and not had the level of support that we are seeking but now we are watching unfold for other folks.” In other words, it is marginalized communities who are bearing the brunt of this situation and watching as their government provides tons of resources that they themselves have never been able to receive. Additionally, Dunn explains, “Now you are putting the strain on our police officers and stations, obstructing their ability to do their job, serve our community, and our community to go into police stations to receive services.” These residents feel unsafe as the limited resources for security promised to them are being used elsewhere.

Issues of Voting

This issue, as demonstrated by the lawsuit, speaks to a deeper issue within American politics. Marginalized communities do not feel heard and yet are expected to show up to the ballot box in November. Currently, Democrats worry about a drop in votes from the African American community, one of the Democrats’ most solid voting blocs. In 2020, there was a 10-point decline in turnout by African Americans compared to 2018 midterms. Many Democrat officials fear a lack of showing up in 2024. W. Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voting Project states, “Democrats spend too much time focused on converting “conservative-leaning White women” in the suburbs who they see as swing voters. Instead, he said, they should focus more on turning out Black men, viewing them as swing voters who are debating whether to vote or stay home.” Due to issues like this, voters begin to realize their real threat is at the polls. One resident stated, ““You can slap us in the face by ignoring us today, but we are punching you in the face by ignoring you at the polling place tomorrow,” Cata Truss. These marginalized communities are done with being taken for granted and are demanding to be heard or they will not show up for these politicians who fail to deliver on their promises.

As stated by resident Marjani Williams, “It’s not us versus them, it’s about us, it’s about equity for people who have been asking for what we deserve.” These residents are not anti-immigrant. They are frustrated with the lack resources being put to their communities. They feel they are bearing the brunt of the migrant crisis without any say in the situation. Marginalized communities feel taken for granted when it comes to voting. These officials do not follow through on their promises and continue to expect these people to show up for them. Mayor Brandon Johnson needs to make this community feel heard and to find a way to curb the unintended effects of the migrant crisis before it further impacts any more marginalized communities in Chicago.