By: Mark Glennon*
Layer after layer is piling up of incoherent numbers about the cost to taxpayers of migrants arriving in Chicago. It’s no surprise that the city and the state have now asked for a federal bailout from migrant costs, but how much is needed?
Consider the following reports, take them all together, then ask if anybody knows the true cost. We sure don’t.
CBS Chicago reported this week that the city has spent $100 million so far on migrant assistance, apparently referring to those who were bused in from Texas over the past year. But that was news to the Chicago alderman who chairs the City Council’s Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee, Andre Vasquez, who apparently had no idea what the number was. He blamed the Lightfoot Administration for not knowing what’s been spent or informing the council, saying, “The prior administration really didn’t communicate it at all.”
Vasquez is a former hip-hop artist known as Prime. He’s a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
But two days earlier Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker sent a letter to the federal government asking for a bailout that said the city and state had spent and obligated over twice that — $250 million just to help the 13,000 asylum-seekers who have been bused to Chicago in the past year.
Federal taxpayers, too, are chipping in for migrants arriving in Chicago and elsewhere. Chicago was apparently getting around $30 million as of June. It’s unclear whether that money is netted out of the numbers above.
Then there’s the fiasco of cost for Medicaid coverage the State of Illinois provides to migrants, most of whom apparently are arriving in Chicago. It’s now estimated to cost state taxpayers a staggering $990 million in the coming year — nearly a billion dollars just for Medicaid.
That estimate cannot be trusted based on the state’s track record. The cost of the initial extension of Medicaid coverage — for migrants 65 and over — ended up costing the state $188 million, which was 94 times what the chief sponsor of the legislation, Delia Ramirez, had claimed. The Pritzker Administration didn’t even bother to make its own estimate. The program has been expanded twice since then.
Maybe New York City has a better handle on total cost. There, Mayor Eric Adams recently said new migrants will be costing the city alone $4 billion per year for at least three years. That would indicate that Chicago will need about $1.25 billion per year to cover migrants (assuming migrants are arriving in Chicago in lower numbers than New York, proportionate to population).
Reporting on Chicago’s costs usually focuses just on those to accommodate the particular migrants bused from Texas to Chicago, which currently total about 13,000.
But that’s a tiny part of the whole immigration picture. Total illegal immigration to the U.S. has been about 5.5 million in the last 2 1/2 years alone, though estimates vary. If they are coming to Illinois in proportion to state population, that would mean some 220,000 have come over those months or will eventually make their way to Illinois. That’s a heck of a lot more than the 13,000 bused in from Texas. What’s being spent to accommodate all of them is never discussed.
What’s obviously needed is a complete, fair, coherent summary of all that is being spent for all illegal immigrants. Nobody is doing that. Certainly not the City of Chicago or the State of Illinois.
They signed a blank check by throwing out the sanctuary mat with no concern about cost.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
I read a lot of articles about big picture, national migrant political strategies being played out by reps & dems. Particularly in NYC/NY, where it’s obvious even libs are sick of the bus loads of migrants. It’s a disaster. And recently Adams demanding Hochul allow migrant be bused to NYC suburbs and up state is where thing get interesting and the rubber hits the road. Apparently, even lib upper-income NIMBY Long Islanders don’t want anything to do with the bus loads. No NY-ers are putting out the welcoming mat in any NYC burbs or up state. All of which Hochul… Read more »
The illegals are everywhere, you can’t miss them, especially if you live anywhere near working class housing apartment complexes. They wander the streets, they beg at off ramps, they are in Home Depot parking lots, they are driving, without license or insurance, these old beater cars. I live in the suburbs and you can’t miss them. In fact, I noticed an interested sociological observation the other day. If you pay attention, there are far more young men driving tricked out cars on the roads these days. They’re everywhere now. The reason young men drive tricked out cars with loud mufflers,… Read more »
Yup, a gazillion undocumented immigrants already here for decades. Not all bad folks in my book.
This article is good example of dem NJ saying no thanks to NYC migrant bus loads…so many other articles. This is going to be the big issue in ’24’—will NIMBY suberban libs put up or shut up?https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/09/04/governor-murphy-flip-flops-on-aiding-immigrants/
Immigrants were once vetted, medically-checked, and required either sponsor, or evidence of financial wherewithal to be self-supporting lawful noncitizen-resident. Now, illegal “recently arrived migrants” non-citizens somehow have achieved greater legal rights, more attention, and highest priority for government-agency spending. Taxpayer citizens and legal-resident non-citizens are not priority of our current local and state government policies. “Newly-arrived migrants” have ZERO financial obligation for their housing and upkeep, not even bare minimum maintenance and cleaning effort, at full cost of taxpaying citizens and legal-resident non-citizens. They get a free phone, and expect free personal housing, free restaurant-prepared hot meals, free medical care,… Read more »
It never made any sense to allow immigrants into the country in unlimited numbers, unchecked, and with nowhere to go. Poverty is also not a stand-a-lone reason for asylum.
The US is the first country to try the open borders experiment. With all of these people here, it will create scarcity and limit access to resources. The government of course will see themselves as being in charge of distributing these resources, by force if necessary, which will give them more power. You really think the state banned your long rifle because of the highland park shooter? LOL, they banned your long rifle, to ensure you have recourse when you’re put at the back of the line for resources, deplorable.
“Democratic Party would be foolish to not think this will backfire at polls.”
Not sure if you’re aware of this thing called “ballot harvesting” which has produced record and near record turnout in Democrat controlled areas? They act like they don’t care about the polls…because they don’t care about the polls. They know they’ve already won, and will always win again in the future. That’s why they act like they don’t care. It’s black pill to accept that our elections are stolen, but they are.
As a Native American rapper myself, I say that Prime needs to quit blaming Beetlejuice and take ownership of the problem. And the rest of the country isn’t bailing you out.
By knowing what the amount being spent is, then we will know how much income taxes should come down for those who aren’t making any money off of the ruinous government handling.
I would also take down other taxes and government imposed costs, albeit on a more selective basis.
If we allow prisoners and “illegal aliens” (by whatever euphemism may then be their p.c. descriptor) to vote, then we’ll have a real test for determining who gets first in line to the buffet with their trays, plates and mugs. Courts will be challenged to weigh contract rights against the virtues claimed by others in the handout line. Judges are first (less numerous than others), followed by retired legislators and superintendents and teachers and just plain public “servants.” Toward the back of the line, but more numerous, will be those qualified for welfare, unemployment compensation, disability compensation, Medicaid plus tax-burdened… Read more »
Democrats have proven over decades that they can accurately account for only two things:
Votes they need to manufacture to get elected
Money to siphon into their own pockets
“What’s obviously needed is a complete, fair, coherent summary of all that is being spent for all illegal immigrants. Nobody is doing that.”
Nope, nobody is.
Not necessary, because a majority of Illinois’ eligible voters – a big majority – either support what’s happening in our state (without regard to the consequences), or simply don’t care that they’re being hornswoggled enough to bother themselves by voting for something else.
We’re going to have to figure out how to roll a really big rock up a very steep hill to fix this.
Hey Diaper Joe, let me spell it out simply so your dementia ridden brain can comprehend. Close the door!
Well, who did ya’ think was supposed to pay for your welcoming sanctuary circus, BJ?
Also, any attempt at pretending there’s any kind of community engagement on migrant issue in city is completely out the window….my nw side Aldermen open one facility 3 months ago with zero notification? And now she/city cleared out giant homeless encampment thats been there forever to make way for new migrant shelter with ,once again ,zero notice to community. Nothing on her web site? You only hear about what’s going to happen thru spotty news coverage & neighborhood fb
No, we don’t have any idea. And that’s the way the socialist/ progressive/ Marxist/ DEMOCRATS want it. Keep em in the dark and feed them bs, just like mushrooms.
To satisfy their altruistic desires, progressives must do something about all the “asylum” seekers. The humanity! How dare Trump build a wall! We are a sanctuary city. We’re here to help you! Cost matters not because we’re doing something for humanity! What was lost on them was Gov. Abbott’s brilliant move of challenging their sanctuary convictions. And look what we learned. It was all talk: no planning, no budget, no money, no meaningful dialogue with the citizens being burdened by this circus. The Chicagoans most directly impacted are outraged, but they voted for the candidates who praised this idea, so… Read more »
Actually, it’s worse : Those ‘North Shore Liberals’, who seem very adapt at mucking things up for average citizen taxpayers, view us as ‘deplorables’ and ’empty vessels’ and ‘mouth breathers’ and ‘carnival barkers’ so to bad – it sucks to be you. Pay up.
Liberals know they are smarter and more virtuous than you.
Remember that next time you’re bewildered by Dem policy.
I have to laugh when I hear NY scream over 13,000 illegals when small Texas and Arizona towns are dealing with the other 7+ million. These migrants then dilute the workforce driving down salaries because they have no power and land $5 an hour jobs (when they do work). America is becoming very very ugly place especially compared to life in Hungary, Russia, UAE, etc. Countries that dont put up with this crap, have secured borders, immigration policies that consider merit, etc.
Who knew migrant finances would be as big a mystery as the Pentagon?
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/pentagon-budget-mystery-807276/amp/
LET THE GOV. PAY FOR THIS OUT OF HIS POCKET!! I AM SICK OF THIS CR$P……NO MONEY FOR US BUT EVERYTHING FOR ILLEGALS SO DEMS CAN KEEP THE VOTE!!! JUST SICK!! LET THESE PEOPLE LIVE AT THE GOV MANSION AND WH AND THE POLITICIANS HOMES……..THINGS WOULD CHANGE REAL QUICK!!!!!
Problem is, we will still get the bill.
Illinois will not get any federal bailouts for illegal immigrants. If they do all of the other states with the same issues will line up for bailouts. They will take it to court and win. It’s called equity or equality, whatever, we’ll all be screwed. All of those other states will get bailed out, too. New York and California will fight to be first in line. Where does all that money come from, huge amount of money? Oh well, just ask Joe. Less for Ukraine I guess.
You’ve just provided the most compelling reason as to why bailouts would happen. Much easier to get the necessary votes when everyone is lined up at the trough.
And how do we support homeless Americans, Ukraine, Pensions, unions, FEMA, the military, schools, the tab for forgiven student loans, Covid vaccine prevention again, Social Security, Medicare, unwed mother support, etc? I can put a lot more on the list, but you get the idea. We can’t afford bailouts. Biden won’t do it.
We couldn’t afford the last bailouts either. Yet they happened.
What happened is Inflation is running wild and killing the poor honest taxpayers.
Chi/ill progressive dems just need thier own MMT theory to magically explain away all the debt….they just need thier own fiat currency & printing press…im sure somebody at ctu can figure it out
The most correct thing you’ve posted to date, PPF. 😉 100% true. Good on ya!
PPF (Peter, Paul & Frodo?) Public employees and their unions are the new Redcoats. Home-grown mostly, but with cohorts of Hessians in the form of reparations- and sanctuary-seekers. You (or they) have colonized our own nation. Luckily, Biden and Pritzker have shown us The Way, modeled on the Spirit of ’76. As you all get together under the flag of intersectionality, there will be disruption and additional claims for justice and sustenance. More claims than the rest of us can meet. So the vote-seeking Dems or their successors will again claim public emergency and suspend contracts as they suspended classes… Read more »
The $35.8 billion bailout to the central states teamsters pension fund may disagree with that statement. Didn’t realize the largest private pension bailout in history would be considered limited. lol
I’m sure you’re right BillyJoeJimBob. The government has seen the error of its ways and bailouts are over forever.
With luck, Biden will be on his way out and Pritzker seeking new hills to climb as they both huff & puff their way to a conservative sweep in 2024. We can no longer kick Dick Nix around, but we can then refocus on next year’s villains.
Go easy on Vasquez (my alderman), who is smart, alert, and credible until demonstrated otherwise. And as such matters go, his interview went candidly enough. His being a socialist is not a plus, but in today’s market neither is it a minus. IMHO.
Vasquez does appear to be the least delusional of the bunch. If you had to pick one to have a beer with, it’s Andre.
Isn’t there a requirement in ILCS for open bidding on public contracts?
Aren’t there any non-intimidated provisioners left in Illinois willing to sue for access to competitively bid for this honeypot of gushing money?
Not that long ago the irresponsible acts of Pritzker and Johnson would be called ‘malfeasance’ Now it’s just the ordinary hucksterism of Marxist Democrats. There will be no straight answers.
I think someone has to ask some simple basic questions—WHO is city & state allowed to spend all these funds on? Are funds allowed to be spent on those who have filed ASYLUM documents ONLY (my understanding it’s a 7 page form)? Or, funds can be spend on anybody? For the supposed 13,000 bused ‘new arrival’ migrants some news outlet’s are stating in reallity only about 6,800 are documented as arriving by bus or plane. And then city & state wide, who knows how many undocumented immigrants there are? I read articles there could be as many as 1/2 mil… Read more »
No medical screening either. No background checks. No ID documented or issued? I wouldn’t be surprised if all they got was a court summons for some random date in 2035.
In Chicago none of that matters, all that matters is that they somehow find a way to get them to register to vote.
Yep, that’s the plan. Really pisses
me off that Democrats believe we are sooo stooopid we can’t figure it out!
Two thoughts. 1st, what a masterful move by Governors Abbott and a lesser extent DeSantis to put a cost to the progressive condescending sanctuary cities leaders and their voters. 2nd, while these same leaders still shame these governors, for a progressive, no cost is deemed too high to reinforce their narrow view of what is just and right. Bonus thought, perhaps Congress will now actually legislate immigration reform so that amnesty seakers and other undocumented immigrants actually have a path to legally work and pay taxes.
Oh yes! Unvetted people as LEOs, caregivers for elderly and children and other positions that need to have lawful people performing them. Sounds like utopia to me! Unfortunately, as we’ve seen from the governments tracking of child molesters and criminals that shed their ankle bracelets, they will promise the moon and give you a dog turd . Wise up.
I hope they up the busses for the DNC, where is the go fund me. I’ll donate to either Deport or ship to Chicago.
I say fly them into O’Hare right when all the conventioneers are arriving.
I hear rhe first whisps of hyperinflation…
The way Pritzker, Durbin and Johnson talk about federal aid, it seems they think it is free money. Last time I checked, I pay federal taxes too, at a much higher rate than the just under 5% Illinois rate. It isn’t free. These con artists are as slimy as it gets.
Democrats have never understood what the word “Free” means and more importantly what it doesn’t mean.
The Blue States will use this self-made, manufactured “crisis” for another back door federal bailout to save public union labor’s pensions. Election season is upon us so taxes cant be raised right now.
You are absolutely correct. This will be the reason they need to start rolling the printing presses. The Mayor and The Gov need money badly, any way to get the federal paper is good for them. The costs of all these migrants? We’ll just worry about that later, gimme the cash today… The Mayor sees this as a way to re-populate his shrinking city, the Governor too. Big Blue cities are great places for the really rich and the really poor, not so good for the people that work hard and have tight budgets. The rich folk are getting a… Read more »
Biden has really shit the bed this time
Being it is Chicago Illinois it is impossible to determine the costs as, if history is any guide, no matter how much has been thrown to Chicago it always begs for more.
Pritzker and Johnson are idiots. They wanted these people in Chicago and now they have to pay for it–preferably on the federal government dole.
CAN’T UNDERSTAND HOW EITHER ONE GOT INTO OFFICE….HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!