Pritzker tells Biden migrant crisis ‘untenable’
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is telling President Joe Biden the numbers of migrants arriving to Chicago from the southern U.S. border are accelerating, and that the situation is overwhelming, untenable and uncoordinated.
In a letter Pritzker sent the White House Monday, the governor said there needs to be more federal money to care for the migrants, among other suggestions. The state’s taxpayers have spent more than $330 million on more than 15,000 non-citizens arriving in Chicago in the past 13 months.
Legislators wants IDOT investigated
An Illinois lawmaker is calling for full accountability from the Illinois Department of Transportation following an ammonia leak that killed five people in Effingham County.
A tanker truck ran off Route 40 Friday and leaked more than 4,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia. State Rep. Adam Niemerg said IDOT diverted traffic from Interstate 70 several hours earlier but had not yet resumed normal traffic. He said he is frustrated by IDOT’s inability to take action to alleviate accidents due to construction on I-70 and is calling for a full investigation.
LIHEAP applications open
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is encouraging eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to support utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane and electricity.
Applications opened this week for income-eligible households with seniors over the age of 60, Illinoisans with a documented long-term disability, and/or children under age 6. All families who meet the qualifications will receive support until funding is exhausted
