A controversial state grant that would establish services in Joliet for immigrants seeking asylum from the southern boarder has been drop by the Joliet Township Supervisor, Angel Contreras. The grant would have provided $8.6 million from the State of Illinois for the influx of migrants coming to Joliet.
The funds would have been used to open welcome centers for immigrants, providing them with housing, food, shelter, and health care.
Locations that were suggested to welcome the migrants were Hartman Recreation Center, 511 N. Collins St.; Peter Claver Center, 172 S. Chicago St.; Spanish Community Center, 309 N. Eastern Ave., and Duly Health Care, 2100 Glenwood Ave in Joliet.
After learning Hartman Recreation Center was included in the list of migrant welcoming centers, the Joliet Park District canceled a pending lease with the township.
Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy, who, along with other city officials urged Contreras to withdraw the application, said the decision will give government and social agencies the time needed to work in providing services to those in Will County.
While the issue has been settled for now, accusations are being made that Rod Tonelli, interim city manager, knew more about the grant application than he revealed.
Councilwoman Jan Quillman accused Tonelli of a cover up and not disclosing what he knew about the grant application sooner.
“We can’t depend on him to tell the truth,” Said Quillman.
But Tonelli insisted that city staff was only involved in general discussion regarding asylum seekers and was not involved in the actual grant application process. Mayor D’Arcy and other city officials have stated that they were never involved in the grant application process from the beginning.
Before it was announced that the grant was withdrawn, Suzanna Ibarra, who represents District 5 on the Joliet City Council, said she became alarmed when she heard Will Grundy Medical Clinic, an agency involved in providing vital medical care, was receiving threats. Will Grundy Medical Clinic would have benefitted from the grant if it was accepted.
“In this turbulent world, plagued by violence and threats of violence, it is imperative that we come together to disavow such destructive actions,” said Ibarra. “Let us rise above differences and conflicts, embracing empathy, understanding, and dialogue as our guiding principles. Despite how anyone feels about the $8.6 million immigration services grant, violence and threats of violence have no place in our shared reality.”
Joseph Montoya of Joliet said he is glad the township declined the grant.
“This would have been horrible for our area,” he said. “We already see homeless people on the street, and we don’t need to see more. Our resources already are inundated with people who need food and shelter. Enough is enough.”
The immigrants coming from the southern boarder are seeking asylum and while going through the legal process are in need of housing.
