Citing “serious environmental concerns,” Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday said the state is ending development of a proposed migrant camp in Brighton Park.
The decision follows the city of Chicago’s release of an environmental report Friday night that showed the location at 38th Street and California Avenue required cleanup of heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
The state halted construction Sunday.
“My leadership is committed to ensuring the protection of asylum seekers while helping them achieve independence,” Pritzker said in a statement. “We will not house families in a place where there are still serious environmental considerations. “
The decision came after Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership publicly stated Monday that the site could only be made for transient residential use by cutting through metals and other harmful substances.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency disagrees, saying that according to its guidelines, “insufficient sampling and remediation at Brighton Park does not meet the state’s cleanup criteria for residential use. “
The agency began reviewing the almost 800-page report prepared by a consultant to the city over the weekend. That report listed mercury, arsenic, lead and other contaminants on site.
“Given the significant time required to conduct additional sampling, to process and analyze results, and to implement corresponding further remediation, the state will work with the city to identify alternate shelter options,” the governor’s office said.
The ruling highlights some behind-the-scenes divisions between the mayor’s and governor’s offices over the migrant crisis.
Speaking to reporters after an event on Tuesday, Johnson repeatedly said the state was aware an environmental impact study would be conducted and would likely reveal problems on the land.
“There was no indication throughout the entire process that a standard or a different methodology was preferable by the state of Illinois,” Johnson said of the state review.
As for Plan B, or choice, Johnson criticized the state for not opening a shelter at the former CVS pharmacy in Little Village.
“We can’t wait six months before a resolution is made to make a site available in the event of a crisis,” Johnson said. “It’s going to fall today. “
The governor’s office said that site, which will provide 200 beds, would be open within the next two weeks.
The governor’s office has also requested alternate sites from the city, and the state is working with the Archdiocese of Chicago to explore other options.
The decision to remove the tent from Brighton Park comes as more than 600 migrants remain camped out at police stations and O’Hare Airport.
And Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) sent a letter to Johnson asking him to close the Gage Park shelter, not allow new admissions and to confirm that other people there had earned their 60-day benefit in accordance with city policy.
Johnson said he was looking to “make sure we get other people out of police stations,” adding that “base camp is an option for us to deal with this crisis. “
Aldo. André Vásquez (40), president of the city’s Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, welcomed the state’s decision.
“It makes sense to locate the safest way possible, because we don’t need conditions where a few years from now we find out that other people are sick, especially when it comes to young people who are on this site,” Vasquez said. “It makes sense to do our due diligence to treat other people the way we would all need to be treated in this situation. “
Johnson went ahead with the task for 38th Street and California despite weeks of protests from citizens who opposed the site being used as an immigrant camp.
Councilmember Julia Ramirez (12), who represents the region, ultimately opposed the project. At first, he was angry with the protesters.
Pritzker “has assured that we assume the duty to care for the health of immigrant families and citizens by stopping using this land as a refuge,” Ramírez said Tuesday. “We will have to continue to find shelter for asylum seekers. “
Brighton Park wasn’t the only possible place for the city’s tents.
The other is the parking lot of a former Jewel-Osco in the Morgan Park neighborhood at 115th and Halsted.
Ronnie Mosley (21) said city crews have begun preparing to clean it up, repair and install water pipes and install fencing.
Mosley said he has not heard back from the city about an environmental assessment of the site.
Pritzker pledged $65 million to build the tent camp. The governor said he may not provide an estimate of how much cash might be owed to structures contractor GardaWorld because of the site change.
In addition, the city has been renting the Brighton Park land to an independent landlord since late October and agreed to pay $91,400 per month.
Contributing: Michael Loria