Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to the recent arrest of approximately 40 juveniles in the city by addressing the use of the term "mob" employed by a reporter. He also reiterated the city's status as a "sanctuary city" for foreign nationals.
Official police data from Chicago revealed that last weekend alone witnessed a staggering 29 separate shooting incidents, resulting in 47 individuals being shot and a tragic loss of five lives.
Mayor Johnson expressed concerns about the characterizations used to describe large gatherings of young people, emphasizing the crucial importance of employing accurate and appropriate language. He remarked that likening children to infamous historical figures such as Al Capone is not suitable nor productive.
While the precise ages of the arrested individuals were not known to Mayor Johnson, he acknowledged the existence of significant youth-oriented events during holiday weekends. Unfortunately, such occurrences have frequently been accompanied by heightened criminal activities in Chicago. For example, during the previous Father's Day weekend, a total of 74 people were shot, while the Independence Day weekend witnessed an additional 33 shooting incidents.
In addition to addressing matters related to juvenile arrests and local crime, Mayor Johnson also engaged in conversations regarding the ongoing migrant surge in the city. Firmly standing by Chicago's sanctuary status, which entails refraining from enforcing federal immigration law, Mayor Johnson affirmed the city's commitment to remaining open to individuals seeking refuge within its borders.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City recently announced a decision to stop accepting migrants, citing an already substantial population and limited resources. In contrast, Mayor Johnson expressed Chicago's unwavering dedication to upholding its sanctuary city status while concurrently establishing supportive systems to offer dignified pathways for those seeking refuge in the city. It is worth noting that Chicago and the state of Illinois have admirably shouldered the responsibility of caring for approximately 12,000 additional migrants since this time last year. To support this undertaking, city and state taxpayers have allocated a substantial $94 million for migrant housing, with an additional $550 million dedicated to subsidizing healthcare for migrants over the age of 65.
By providing these comprehensive details and historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of the events and policies surrounding Chicago's recent developments.