Kane County Reporter

A majority of municipalities in Kane County have not responded to inquiries about whether they will accept funding for the resettlement of undocumented immigrants. The municipalities were queried about their contact with state officials or General Assembly members regarding such funding, their anticipation of utilizing such funding, and their community's position on the permanent resettlement of migrants.

The municipalities that failed to respond to requests from Kane County Reporter include Bartlett, Barrington Hills, Wayne, Carpentersville, Batavia, South Elgin, Geneva, North Aurora, Campton Hills, Pingree Grove, Sugar Grove, Gilberts, West Dundee, Hampshire, Elburn, Sleepy Hollow, Big Rock, Lily Lake, Burlington, Kaneville, Virgil, Elgin, East Dundee, St. Charles, Aurora, Algonquin and Huntley.

Their lack of response raises questions about their stance on illegal immigration and the utilization of available resources for resettlement programs.

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, which includes the City of Chicago, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, Lake County Municipal League, McHenry County Council of Governments, Metro West Council of Government, Northwest Municipal Conference, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, Southwest Conference of Mayors, West Central Municipal Conference, and Will County Governmental League according to its website, has been advocating for suburban communities to accept funds linked to the resettlement of undocumented immigrants.

According to the caucus's website, applications for $11 million in grants under the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) program are intended to assist undocumented immigrants in Illinois. This funding was identified as "Round II." The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus will oversee the distribution of funds through a Request for Information process. Eligibility is extended to municipal governments willing to receive asylum seekers. Furthermore, lead municipalities can collaborate with other governmental bodies and organizations as subgrantee partners. This collaboration ensures efficient and comprehensive support for asylum seekers while adhering to grant guidelines and procedures.

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the availability of these funds following a push for application submissions. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services announced an additional $17 million in funding for municipalities in response to over 38,000 new arrivals sent to Illinois from Texas since 2022. These funds aim to strengthen capacity in municipalities outside Chicago by providing direct services such as temporary shelter, emergency triage, legal assistance, and health screenings among others. The $11 million round of SMASS funds was exclusively available to municipalities outside Chicago. It was facilitated by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus through a competitive solicitation process. Additionally, $6 million of the investment will support Illinois Welcoming Centers and Immigrant Family Resources Program providers, underlining the state's commitment to supporting immigrants and fostering partnerships in local communities, according to a press release.