Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has placed a temporary hold on constructing a base camp for migrants in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood following the release of a recent environmental report last week.
The governor’s office stated that the pause allows time for Governor Pritzker to thoroughly review the report and to hold discussions with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which are scheduled to occur on Monday.
The environmental assessment report, consisting of 800 pages, revealed the discovery of soil contamination from mercury and other compounds at the Brighton Park site. The site, located near West 38th Street and South California Avenue, is expected to provide temporary housing for up to 2,000 migrants, aimed at reducing the number of people sleeping at airport and police stations as winter approaches.
Local residents and environmental advocates within the Brighton Park area have expressed opposition to the site due to its location and environmental concerns.
The site has been addressed as part of an effort to dispose of the mercury and semi-volatile compounds that have been identified in the soil. A statement from the city revealed plans to address the issue and confirmed that the area was safe for temporary residential use.
Construction efforts at the site accelerated this week, following a $29 million contract with the company GardaWorld to erect temporary structures, to provide a placement for migrants away from airport and police station floors as winter approaches.
Despite concerns about transparency regarding the handling of the migrants matters, Mayor Brandon Johnson reassured that all necessary information has been provided.
Further questions regarding specific contaminants found at the site are pending a full report to be presented by the end of the week.
The site was once used as a zinc smelter and was part of a railyard, according to records obtained.
Despite communication and lack of transparency concerns raised by others, the site is reportedly safe for temporary residential use and continues to move forward with construction.
