Primer: Evanston Migrant Shelter

Last year, Cook County allocated $20 million of a disaster response and recovery fund for suburbs to apply for grants to support migrant care efforts. So far, Oak Park and Ford Heights have been the only municipalities of over 100 to apply for funding, but Evanston Mayor Daniel Miss wants that to change. In an April 9 City Council meeting, he discussed a proposal to rent a vacant, two-story office building in downtown Evanston, perform necessary renovations, and house 65 migrants there. With this developing story in mind, this week Political Union will debate the following resolution: Evanston should build a migrant shelter.

The pro side has many compelling arguments. First, there’s a pressing need for migrant shelters in the Chicagoland area. Since 2022, more than 38,000 migrants have been bused to Chicago, and many anticipate that thousands more will arrive via unscheduled drop-offs prior to the Democratic National Convention in August. The city has been clamping down on these unscheduled arrivals, so in recent weeks many have been dropped off in suburbs. These migrants are human beings who need a place to live, and Evanston can be their savior. It’s also a minor commitment for Evanston: sheltering only 65 migrants is barely a dent in the total figures. Further, there are shelters dotting Chicago, and traditionally Evanston has more progressive politics than the city. It would not be a drastic action to add another shelter onto the list of many in the area. A workable plan has also been found already. At the site, a fire-sprinkler system and some bathroom and shower stalls need to be installed, plus mold testing must be done. But that quick list of needs means the site could be transformed in short order. Lastly, the project would not put a strain on the government. The funding has already been appropriated at the county level, and nonprofits appear willing to operate the shelter with those funds. So, the Evanston government’s role in the shelter can be as minimal as just approving funds. 

The con side has some strong arguments, too. The most powerful is that the city of Chicago has been dealing with the migrant crisis for years now, has allocated vast amounts of money to address it, and has developed an infrastructure that can best assist migrants in need. This game is too big for Evanston’s ballpark: Chicago has greater space, money, and expertise, so why should Evanston wade into these difficult waters? All but two other suburbs have recognized this fact and declined to apply for funding, so Evanston should choose to zig as well. Further, the selected site will stymie downtown revitalization efforts. Northlight Theatre, a popular performing group originally founded in Evanston that moved to Skokie 27 years ago, is returning to Evanston in a new building scheduled to be completed in 2026. It would be directly next to the proposed shelter, which may be running for the indefinite future, as the migrant crisis has no clear end date. Like it or not, a migrant shelter would “be like putting a blanket” on efforts to boost a downtown that has heavily struggled post-pandemic, as many businesses and consumers are simply uncomfortable with a shelter’s presence in their community. Even if you believe that migrant shelters are a vital need, Evanston is the wrong place. 

Please join us Monday night at 7pm in Scott Hall 201 for the debate!

"The sailors and Royal Marines of HMS Bulwark help migrants ashore" by Royal Navy Media Archive is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

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