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Regular Village Board meetings are typically held at 7:00 p.m., the first three Tuesdays of each month in Council Chambers of Village Hall (room 201), 123 Madison St. When a Regular Meeting falls on a holiday, the meeting typically is held the following night. The Village Board also meets in special sessions from time to time. However, dates and times of Special Meetings can vary and may change.

File #: MOT 23-105    Name:
Type: Motion Status: Passed
In control: President and Board of Trustees
On agenda: 10/30/2023 Final action: 10/30/2023
Title: A Motion to Establish a Village Emergency Task Force and Fund for Asylum Seekers

Submitted By                     

Dr. Danielle Walker, Chief DEI Officer 

 

Reviewed By

A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager

 

Agenda Item Title

Title

A Motion to Establish a Village Emergency Task Force and Fund for Asylum Seekers 

End

Overview

Overview

Trustee Enyia has brought forth a motion to establish a Village emergency task force and fund to aid in supporting asylum seekers. This motion was seconded by Trustee Straw.

End

 

Recommendation

Recommendation

N/A

 

Background

Since August 2022, more than 17,000 migrants have arrived to the city of Chicago seeking asylum. The State of Texas has been sending migrants to various cities across the U.S.  Asylum seekers are defined as “an individual who crossed the Mexico/U.S. border on or after August 1, 2022, with the intent to stay permanently, and who does not possess any permanent or interim U.S. legal status (which does not include being in parole status), such as legal permanent residency, a student or work visa, etc. Refugee status or asylum may be granted to people who have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion.  Migrants that have arrived need access to shelter, food, healthcare, legal support, and overall wraparound services.

 

 

Fiscal Impact

N/A

 

DEI Impact

This humanitarian crisis continues to impact many communities across the country. Those arriving from the U.S/Mexico border are women, men, and children who have fled their home countries and endured a journey over 2,5000 miles.  There are several key areas of support of which migrants are in need, including housing, food, health access, legal services, and overall wraparound support. Heightened attention is also needed in regards to language access.

 

Alternatives

N/A

 

Previous Board Action

The Village of Oak Park took the initiative to apply for the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) grant in the amount of $7.5 million to serve as a passthrough to organizations such as Housing Forward, Catholic Charities, Beyond Hunger, PCC Wellness, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic, West Cook YMCA, and Thrive Counseling Center as those organizations have established methods to support asylum seeker’s access to transitional housing, food, wraparound services, legal assistance and health and wellness.

 

Citizen Advisory Commission Action

N/A

 

Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments

N/A