October 29, 2023

Update on City Partnerships to Aid Asylum Seekers, Unhoused Chicagoans as Temperatures Fall

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

With colder weather upon us, we are at an increasingly critical point in this humanitarian endeavor. To protect new arrivals and unhoused Chicagoans from falling temperatures, the City is collaborating with external partners, volunteers and mutual aid groups to provide blankets, coats and other much-needed items. Warming buses will be provided by the CTA at the landing location and 16 police district locations. The City is also working with faith-based leaders to plan for emergency staging and shelter.

The City of Chicago continues to receive new arrivals on buses from the state of Texas and flights from San Antonio, TX, New York, NY, and Denver, CO, and last week, announced a series of partnerships with organizations and mutual aid groups to assist new arrivals. We will continue exploring all options to provide temporary shelter, which includes working with aldermen, the State of Illinois and communities across the city in supporting efforts to move new arrivals indoors and off of the floors of O'Hare Airport and police district stations.
The City will also continue efforts to provide immediate short-term shelter and resources, and move anyone sleeping outdoors into shelters that are equitably distributed across the city. If you would like to make a donation of winter clothing, blankets or essential items, please visit https://chi.gov/NewArrivals.