Chicago Mayor Allocates $18 Million to ‘Black and Brown’ Businesses to Feed Migrants
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently announced a partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to allocate nearly $18 million exclusively to support “black and brown” businesses that are providing meals to illegal migrants in the city.
“It is a model of what we were able to do; not only providing millions of meals for new arrivals, but also reinvesting millions of dollars in small and local Black- and Brown-owned businesses,” said Kate Maehr, executive director & CEO of the Food Depository.
Mayor Johnson recently praised these businesses in a press conference for their efforts in feeding migrants, stating that they exemplify “the spirit of Chicago.” He commended black and Latino-owned small restaurants, which are serving approximately 18,000 meals per day to migrants at various shelters across the city.
“I actually think it’s quite fitting that we are in this wonderful small business because it has been black and brown small businesses that have stepped up in this moment, in this crisis, to respond to these families who are arriving here,” Johnson said.
The initiative has garnered attention for Mayor Johnson’s continued efforts to focus on supporting migrants over his own constituents. For 2024, Mayor Johnson has allocated $150 million to house, feed, and provide care for illegal migrants in the city.
While Mayor Johnson has celebrated Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, he recently faced criticism for his response to questions about his border plans. In a February 5 press conference, the mayor became defensive when questioned about his focus on migrants over pressing issues like public safety and homelessness, asserting his commitment to addressing various challenges in the city, including those faced by his own family.
“We still have public safety we have to address, we still have the unhoused we have to address. I still have a budget I have to address. And i’m doing all of that with a black wife raising three black children on the west side city of Chicago. I’m going to the border as soon as possible.”
As the left continues its position that unrestricted, illegal immigration into U.S. cities should be encouraged, city officials like Johnson are finding it increasingly difficult to cater to both their current constituents and incoming migrants.
