Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak is considering an $11 million state grant to allow for permanent resettlement of illegal immigrants in the community.
The revelation came at the Jan. 26 League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting.
During the meeting, Senak addressed the audience noting the state had offered Glen Ellyn $11 million to assist with permanently resettling illegal immigrants in the village.
“So you understand what I believe that $11 million is for us to have migrants come to Glen Ellyn and locate here and settle here and remain here, and what that would entail to accomplish that,” he said.
Senal said the issue arose after State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), notified the village of the availability of funds for this purpose.
”We received a letter from our state representative advising us about grant money from the state to settle migrants in Glen Ellyn. There's $11 million that the village can access. My question to you is, what do you think we should do?” he asked local residents at the meeting.
Local carpenter David Firchau suggested Glen Ellyn not take the funds.
“Leave it alone,” Firchau said.” I can't afford myself. Alright. I love this town. It's a beautiful town. I've been blessed to be a carpenter in this town. I’ve worked under the most beautiful houses I've ever encountered. I've done it for forty years, and I'd like to see the high class homes and quality of our neighborhoods stay the same. This is our country, not theirs.”
Another audience member questioned the restrictions or requirements for accessing the grant money and also emphasized the importance of monitoring incidents, public resources, and transportation in the settlement process.
Over 34,000 illegal immigrants have landed in the state since mid-2022.
Last fall Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant monies for municipalities to house illegal immigrants. As of last fall Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana and Chicago had received grant funds from the state to assist with housing and other needs.
Overall the state has allocated $500 million for the care of illegal immigrants.
“We know this unprecedented humanitarian crisis is going to be critical to discussions on budget and other important issues this session,” House Speaker Chris Welch said, according to Capitol News Illinois.
However, the revelation from Senak is the first time the money has been linked to permanent resettlement efforts.
The grant funding revelation comes a week after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson requested help from 21 suburban mayors who are part of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Burr Ridge’s Gary Grasso was one of 21 suburban mayors who Johnson requested help from.
“He's asking us all for support, calling out the federal government,” Grasso said.
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