Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) recently announced an $18 million initiative aimed exclusively at supporting “black and brown” businesses to provide food sustenance for the city’s influx of illegal migrants. This move, centered around a partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and other local nonprofits, earmarks substantial funds for minority-owned enterprises. While the mayor lauds this as a reflection of Chicago’s communal spirit, critics argue it blatantly disregards the principles of equal protection of law enshrined in the Constitution.
In collaboration with entities like BJ’s Market, Johnson’s administration is funneling this hefty sum into the hands of select businesses, a decision publicized with much fanfare during a recent press event.
The mayor hailed these businesses as the “very essence of Chicago’s soul” in a thinly veiled attempt to appease Black citizens frustrated with the massive public expenditures going toward caring for migrants who have illegally entered the country. Meanwhile, critics argue the policy not only sows division but potentially violates federal law by establishing racial criteria for public spending.
Racism at the HIGHEST level of #Chicago government👇
Will there be lawsuits coming?
Mayor Brandon Johnson Hands ‘Black and Brown’ Businesses $18M to Feed Migrants https://t.co/z4tVHm6bKp
— Make🇺🇸GreatAgain WeCaughtThemCOLD#SpaceForce🛰📡 (@OneMinPsychic) February 13, 2024
As Chicago grapples with a rising homeless population — now exceeding 68,000 — and escalating living costs, the focus on racial qualifications for aid allocation has sparked an intense debate. This scenario mirrors challenges faced by other cities like New York, where similar policies have been criticized for their inequitable distribution of aid to migrants over local impoverished populations.
Moreover, Mayor Johnson’s recent outbursts at the media when asked about his border crisis plans reveal the tension dividing the Windy City. His defensive responses, emphasizing his roles as a parent and a husband as if there is something unique about his position, reveal the personal pressures he is facing but do little to address the core issues involved in handling the migrant crisis.
This policy’s fallout isn’t limited to political controversy; it resonates deeply with Chicago’s residents. The prioritization of migrants, bolstered by significant financial allocations for their welfare — encompassing housing, food, and healthcare — contrasts starkly with the city’s struggling segments. Such disparities have not gone unnoticed among the local population, particularly the Black community.
As Chicago ventures down this contentious path, the implications of Mayor Johnson’s strategy carry over to the national debate over the ongoing illegal immigration crisis hammering the country.