Chicago residents criticize mayor for high spending on migrants: 'Worst mayor in the country'

During a City Council meeting, a resident of Chicago confronted Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing him of being the "worst mayor in America" due to the city's spending over half a billion dollars on sheltering migrants.

The criticism of Johnson and Chicago's New Arrivals Mission, which has cost the city $574.5 million since its inception in August 2022, comes as the mayor is trying to overcome a $1 billion budget shortfall by the end of the year. The City Council held a meeting Monday during which residents voiced their opposition to an approximately $60 million property tax increase floated as one way to help close the gap.

One woman advised Johnson that she had a great plan for utilizing the budget. She suggested beginning by eliminating illegal immigrants' access to free housing, schooling, and food. This, she believed, would significantly reduce expenses.

"Let's begin with you. Your salary. You are known as the worst mayor in America. Let's start by reducing yours. You earn too much money," she said.

Johnson was informed by another resident that she is an immigrant who entered the U.S. legally and feels embarrassed by the actions of her fellow Latin Americans in the city, who are working on behalf of those who contribute to the city but do not pay taxes.

"I emphasize that not all individuals are alike. They arrived with an open door and feel entitled to many things that no one deserves. There are U.S. citizens who are struggling with poverty," she stated. "There are U.S. citizens who are on public assistance, and they are here just to enjoy the benefits, becoming lazy, and there are no consequences."

During the meeting, a resident requested Johnson's full focus.

This demonstrates the absence of leadership you exhibit in this city. You can't even maintain eye contact with me," he stated. "I am informing the people of Chicago now, we have had enough of you.

The New Arrivals Mission aims to offer temporary housing to address the current crisis, while also investing in the city's long-term ability to handle future migration-related challenges.

Since August 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has transported hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers across the United States. Chicago has received the third-most asylum seekers of all major cities in the country, with nearly 39,000 new arrivals arriving in the city.

The city, in collaboration with the state and county, has supported newcomers on their journey to self-sufficiency by offering basic necessities such as food, temporary emergency housing, urgent medical care, education, vaccines, and case management and resettlement services.

The New Arrivals Mission shelter system will be phased out by the end of this year.

"Johnson stated in October that the transition aligns with the decline in migration to Chicago and our current financial constraints. We are adopting a more cost-effective, equitable, and strategic approach to tackle homelessness in the City of Chicago."

Johnson's office declined to comment on Planet Chronicle Digital's request on Tuesday.