Mayor Johnson pivots to greater migrant crisis when asked if tent camp plan was mistake
There had been plans for two winterized tent camps for asylum seekers.
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There had been plans for two winterized tent camps for asylum seekers.
CBS 2's Sabrina Franza asked Mayor Brandon Johnson the question after the State of Illinois scrapped plans for one tent camp for migrants, and another such plan was put on ice.
Former DuPage County NAACP President Patrick Watson said he was "horrified" by Illinois NAACP President Teresa Haley's comments.
Gov. JB Pritzker scrapped the tent encampment at 38th and California mid-construction last month, saying there were too many environmental concerns at the proposed site to proceed.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st) confirmed "there are no immediate plans for" a migrant tent camp at 115th and Hasted.
The Mayor's office told us they are in talks with the owner on a lot in Brighton Park where a tent base camp was called off by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Meanwhile, we looked at the contract the city signed with GardaWorld to see how much the mishap with the now-called-off migrant tent camp in Brighton Park may have cost. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
Meanwhile, the city also has a new way to make money going forward – in the form of fines for buses carrying migrants that do not alert the city of where and when they will drop people off. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
This all comes after the state stepped in and nixed the migrant tent camp going up at 38th and California in Brighton Park.
CBS 2 is trying to find out the price tag for the whole process – how much it cost for the city to put tents up for a camp for migrants at the Brighton Park site, only to take them back down. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
Meanwhile, the City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights met Thursday to talk about the migrant crisis. CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports.
Three Alderpeople sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday demanding the resignations of seven of his appointed top staffers. The letter focuses on wasted taxpayer dollars and what they believe is failed leadership. Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) spoke to CBS 2 as one of the three who signed that letter.
This all comes after the state stepped in and nixed the migrant tent camp going up at 38th and California in Brighton Park.
Sources said the tents from Brighton Park will be taken down and brought to a second possible camp location in Morgan Park.
A migrant tent camp in Brighton Park has been called off by the State of Illinois, but another one at 115th and Halsted streets may yet go ahead. CBS 2's Marybel Gonzalez reports.
"We will not proceed with housing families on a site where serious environmental concerns are still present," Pritzker said.
Questions also remain as to how much it has already cost to construct the tents at 38th and California before Gov. JB Pritzker called off the plan. CBS 2's Marybel Gonzalez reports.
On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker scrapped the City of Chicago's plans to build a migrant camp in Brighton Park, citing serious environmental concerns at the site.
On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker scrapped the City of Chicago's plans to build a migrant camp in Brighton Park, citing serious environmental concerns at the site. So, how did this all come to be? CBS 2 Political Reporter Chris Tye looked into the relationship between the governor and Mayor Brandon Johnson, and what's next for migrants in the city.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s office says there are too many environmental concerns at the proposed site to proceed, despite the city saying it would move forward just last week. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker scrapped the City of Chicago's plans to build a migrant camp in Brighton Park, citing serious environmental concerns at the site. So, how did this all come to be? CBS 2 Political Reporter Chris Tye looked into the relationship between the governor and Mayor Brandon Johnson, and what's next for migrants in the city.
Over the weekend, the city said the site is safe to house migrants, following an environmental review that prompted the removal of contaminated soil.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) said the fieldhouse will reopen Monday, allowing for after-school programming and other services to resume.
The Brighton Park neighborhood site for a migrant tent camp is going forward, following an environmental review. The city's Department of Assets, Information, and Services contracted with Terracon Consultants Inc. to conduct an environmental assessment of the site at 3710 S. California Ave.
Work began earlier this week on the tent structures at the site.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
From temporary shelter to a place to call home; that's the goal of a LaGrange-based nonprofit, which received $15 million in funding to continue creating a path forward for those experiencing homelessness.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
The House OK'd a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, after Republicans revolted and refused President Trump's push for a longer extension.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
But underground construction work on a presidential bunker underneath the ballroom can continue, the judge said.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The federal government is suing Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona over efforts to regulate prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The owners of the popular Uncommon Ground restaurant, live music venue, and brewery in Chicago's Wrigleyville community announced this week that they're looking for a successor to take over the business.
Chicago consistently ranks in the top three cities in Fortune 500 company headquarters, and now a competition has been launched to build on Chicago's power in business.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the local premiere of the 2022 opera "Omar," and a fresh production of "Guys and Dolls" are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season for Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Federal magistrate Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Sheisty that the evidence against him is strong.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have agreed to use May Day for a "day of civic action" for students and teachers.
A tornado watch has been expanded to the entire Chicago area as severe storms barrel east into the Chicago area. A tornado and funnel clouds were reported in Lena and Machesney Park, Illinois.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
A reported tornado in Lena Illinois, west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage. Police are warning people to stay away.
A reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage, including possibly to schools that had students inside at the time.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video Friday of the deadly shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera in 2025.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A tree planting initiative has kicked off in Chatham, among the Chicago neighborhoods most plagued by flooding, to help with the persistent problem.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
Some parents in southwest suburban Oswego are fired up, saying the school district invited all non-white students to participate in summer remedial programming, regardless of how they're doing in school.
New proposed Illinois legislation would allow renters or people who can't install massive rooftop panels to also harness the power of the sun.
Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4.
The University of Notre Dame and Villanova will kick off both their men's and women's 2026-2027 basketball seasons with an international game in Rome.
Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Rays scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The Blackhawks won four of their last 15 games and three of their last 11 home games, but finished with 72 points, 11 more than last season.
Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday night.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A well-known café and newsstand in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood was damaged early Thursday morning when a stolen car that police were pursuing crashed into it.
Gregory Morgan Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland, was charged Thursday morning with two counts of second-degree assault in the Feb. 5 incident.
Members of the Cook County State's Attorney's office visited CTA train stations across Chicago on Thursday.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.
