Angry blue city residents denied voice in ending sanctuary city status
Fed Up Blue City Residents Denied Say in Ending Sanctuary City Status
The Chicago City Council on Thursday wiped out any hopes that a non-binding referendum on Chicago’s sanctuary city status would go before voters in the spring.
The proposal was rejected 31-16 in what the Chicago Tribune framed as a victory for Mayor Brandon Johnson and his supporters, who opposed the referendum.
“Mr. Chairman, let me just say that I think you all had something up your sleeve,” Alderman Anthony Beale said of the maneuvers that defeated his effort to put the question on the ballot that would have read: “Should the City of Chicago limit its designation as a Sanctuary City by placing spending limits on its public funding?”
More than 25,700 illegal immigrants have arrived in Chicago since August 2022.
Through the end of November, city government has paid out $129.5 million toward its response. Favorite Healthcare Staffing, which hires workers for the shelters that house illegal immigrants, has received $86.6 million of that amount. The Tribune reported that city officials estimate when all the bills come in, the cost to date could be as high as $360 million.
Beale was livid at the rejection of the proposed referendum.
“It is a shame that you all are scared. What are you scared of? To let the people have a voice? What are you scared of — the truth? Are we afraid that the people are going to tell us that we are spending money frivolously? … Are we afraid that the people are going to tell us that we are headed in the wrong direction?” he said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I’m all for taking care of people. I am sympathetic as well. However, I’m more sympathetic for the people in my community who have been paying taxes their entire life, can’t get a furnace, can’t get a roof, can’t get a hot water heater, can’t get a back porch. And my seniors are still starving for resources,” he said.
He noted that the city has made mistakes, such as spending nearly $1 million on a site for illegal immigrants the state later declared unsafe.
“I hope you all sleep good tonight knowing that you all continued to turn your backs on the people who are paying taxes in this city,” Beale said.
Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, defended the majority and said, “this ordinance has nothing to do with whether or how the city provides shelter and care for the migrants being sent to Chicago,” according to CBS News.
“Repealing the ordinance will do nothing to stop the buses from coming, or end the need that the migrants present. At best, these moves to undermine the Welcoming City Ordinance are the result of confusion and misdirection. At worst, they are cynical ploys that are feeding on fear and resentment, turning neighbors and communities against each other, and dividing our city,” Tsao added.
Alderman Andre Vasquez said the referendum was a ploy to distract voters from real issues of how to solve the issues caused by the illegal immigrant influx.
“[T]hey don’t want to face any of that frustration, and fear, and ignorance that they may be hearing from their constituents. So they say, ‘Let’s put a question on the ballot. Let’s point that energy somewhere else, because I want to make sure I remain in my seat,’” Vasquez said.
“I understand the fear, but I think that fear and ignorance is going to guide us to a place where our city and country are even more divided,” he said.
Chicago has a “Welcoming City Ordinance” that protects illegal immigrants from deportation and says benefits and services cannot be denied to illegal immigrants.
Source: Fed Up Blue City Residents Denied Say in Ending Sanctuary City Status
What was the goal of Alderman Beale’s proposed referendum, and why was it rejected by Mayor Johnson and his supporters
Well tonight, because I will not,” Beale concluded.
The denial of the referendum is particularly frustrating for residents who have long been fed up with the city’s sanctuary policies. By declaring itself a sanctuary city, Chicago has essentially become a safe haven for illegal immigrants, providing them with various benefits and protections. While proponents argue that this is a compassionate and inclusive approach, critics argue that it comes at the expense of law-abiding citizens and strains public resources.
The cost of accommodating and supporting illegal immigrants in Chicago has been staggering. As mentioned earlier, the city has already paid out $129.5 million towards its response to the influx of illegal immigrants since August 2022. This amount includes significant payments to Favorite Healthcare Staffing, the company responsible for hiring workers in the shelters that house these individuals.
It is estimated that the total cost could reach $360 million once all the bills are accounted for. This tremendous financial burden is being shouldered by the taxpayers of Chicago, many of whom are struggling to meet their own basic needs. The skyrocketing costs of housing, healthcare, and education have become increasingly unaffordable for the average resident, while the city spends exorbitant amounts on illegal immigrants.
Alderman Beale’s proposed referendum aimed to address this issue by placing spending limits on the city’s public funding for illegal immigrants. By giving the residents an opportunity to voice their opinion on this matter, it would have allowed for a democratic decision-making process and held the city council accountable to the people they represent.
However, Mayor Brandon Johnson and his supporters fiercely opposed the referendum, and their victory in rejecting it only further demonstrates their disregard for the concerns and wishes of the people they are supposed to serve. This lack of transparency and accountability is deeply troubling and does not bode well for the future of Chicago.
Chicago’s residents have a right to be frustrated and infuriated by the denial of their say in ending the city’s sanctuary status. The impact of this policy on their lives and their communities cannot be ignored. While compassion and empathy are important values, they should not come at the expense of the well-being and livelihoods of law-abiding citizens.
It is essential that the voices of the residents are heard and that their concerns are given due consideration. Ignoring their frustrations only serves to widen the divide between the city’s leadership and its residents. The people deserve transparency, accountability, and a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Alderman Beale’s words ring true: “What are you scared of? To let the people have a voice? What are you scared of — the truth?” It is high time that the city council and Mayor Johnson confront the truth, listen to their constituents, and address the pressing issues facing Chicago. Only through open dialogue and a genuine commitment to the well-being of all residents can the city move forward in a meaningful and inclusive way.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
