Governor JB Pritzker’s plans to spend another 182-million dollars to help provide services and relocation for migrants is drawing criticism from some Illinois lawmakers.
Capitol News Illinois reports the governor announced the additional funding last week, and included it in his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Coupled with money from Cook County, these dollars are aimed at finding permanent housing and other social services for migrants who’ve been bused and flown to Illinois from states along the southern border – most notably from Texas.
Representative Norine Hammond, who serves as the House Republicans’ point-person on budget issues, says the state needs to review its spending priorities.
“Over $2.8 billion – $2.8 BILLION dollars – has been dedicated to services for migrants and undocumented immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved.”
But Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the influx of migrants is a humanitarian issue – not a political issue.
“I am not happy that we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars on this. But I’m sure as hell going to track every penny of it, and make sure that we can go back and make our case to Washington that this was their problem, they’ve got to help us fix it.”
Mendoza’s office launched an online portal this month to track spending on migrant issues.
Both she and Governor Pritzker say they’ll continue to push the Biden Administration and lawmakers in Washington to provide more support for states who are responding to the influx of people.
