North Cook News

Elmwood Park Village President, Skip Saviano, stated that the community has not received any communications concerning funding related to the resettlement of undocumented immigrants. He added that even if such funds were offered, they would not be accepted due to the absence of facilities in Elmwood Park to accommodate migrants.

“Currently we have no facilities to accommodate migrants,” Saviano told North Cook News. “If they have family or friends they can move in with, I am sure the community will welcome them, just like Ukrainian refugees that have moved into our community.”

Saviano's remarks come after Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak recently disclosed that his community was offered an $11 million state grant to aid in the permanent resettlement of undocumented immigrants. During the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting on Jan. 26, Senak revealed that the state had offered the village a substantial grant for assisting with the settlement of migrants in Glen Ellyn. 

"So you understand what I believe that $11 million is for us to have migrants come to Glen Ellyn and locate here and settle here and remain here, and what that would entail to accomplish that," Senak said.

According to DuPage Policy Journal, the issue was brought to light by State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), who notified the village about the availability of funds for this purpose.

The increasing number of undocumented immigrants in the area has prompted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to seek assistance from suburban areas with the city’s immigration crisis. 

"He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government," Burr Ridge’s Mayor Gary Grasso told NBC Chicago.

Grasso also noted that Johnson specifically requested support for increased funding for shelter and services for migrants and appealed for assistance from the federal government.

That request arises from a surge in drop-offs of undocumented immigrants in the Chicagoland area which began in December 2023. The urgency has been amplified by reports stating over 34,000 undocumented immigrants have arrived in Illinois since mid-2022. This situation has intensified calls for stronger border control measures. Last fall, Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant funds to municipalities for housing and supporting undocumented immigrants. Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana, and Chicago were among the recipients. In total, the state has earmarked a total of $500 million for the care of undocumented immigrants, according to Capitol News Illinois.

At a recent Hinsdale Village Board meeting where drop-offs were prohibited, officials received information from a bus driver suggesting these incidents are likely to continue until March. The daily frequency of drop-offs across the state has varied, sometimes exceeding 10 instances. Additionally, as reported by DuPage Policy Journal, the number of individuals being dropped off occasionally reaches up to 800 people per day.