Illinois is providing millions of dollars to local governments to deal with the surge of migrants coming from southern states.
Governor JB Pritzker is making $17 million available out of $160 million set aside for it, and $11 million will be for grants to support recent arrivals. Elgin, Oak Park and Urbana were among last year’s recipients. Thirteen of the state’s welcoming centers will receive $4 million, and $2 million will go to immigrant family resource providers to offer translation services.
Migrant children continue to pour into Chicago public schools, and teachers’ union leaders say the current structure is overwhelming the system. Education leaders in Illinois will hold a roundtable discussion to discuss migrant students in public schools.
