Bugle Newspapers 9-22-22

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STATE

national guard to assist migrant welcoming effort as pritzker declares disaster Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday that Illinois will continue to welcome migrants bused here from Texas as he blasted that state’s governor for relocating them to other cities without sharing information or providing resources.

Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his agencies have been providing little notice for incoming migrants and has not responded to calls from Illinois’ agency heads. That’s meant Illinois has had “between three and 24 hours to find shelter for potentially 100 or more people.”

He said that has led to “a needlessly last-minute and complex process that is a heartless display of politics over people.”

“Let me be clear, while other states may be treating these vulnerable families as pawns, here in Illinois, we are treating them as people,” he said. “And when a person comes urgently seeking help, here in Illinois, we offer them a helping hand.”

Pritzker will deploy 75 National Guard members to aid with logistics and will issue a disaster proclamation aimed at expediting the flow of resources. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to work with local governments to help migrants access transportation, emergency shelter, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments and other care.

Pritzker said the migrants are residing in the U.S. legally through the asylum-seeking process.

They’re often fleeing dangerous situations, mostly from Central and South America, and they receive facial and fingerprint scans at the U.S. border that are “crosschecked against terrorist watch lists and criminal databases.”

“They have traveled for months, most often without enough food or medicine or support,” he said.

“Many have literally walked from Venezuela to the U.S. border, seeking safety for themselves and for their families. These are people who have not been accused of doing anything wrong.”

Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou said an 11th bus arrived early Wednesday. It brought the total number of migrants arriving in Illinois over the past two weeks to more than 500. Buses are arriving daily, Pritzker said.

“I have said to our team, we live in a state where our leaders are committed to providing a dignified welcome to our state,” Hou said. “That is not the question. The question is how we do it when the process is intentionally designed to cause confusion and utter chaos.”

Hou said when unannounced migrants arrive, Illinois officials have to “scramble” to provide for the basic needs of babies, pregnant women, children, teens, adults and older people. That includes ensuring access to housing, food, baby formula and health care.

“We’ve seen pregnant women literally ready to give birth who have been provided next to no support on the buses. Babies, elders, who continue to be treated in a callous manner until they get to the city of Chicago,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

Pritzker said the state hears about arrivals only by unofficial means, such as Texas nonprofit organizations whose only information is that “they’ve just literally watched the bus drive by.” He called on Abbott to provide better notice.

Abbott launched the program in April when he issued a memo directing the state’s Department of Emergency Management “to begin coordinating the voluntary transportation” of immigrants who had been released from federal custody.

“President Biden’s inaction at our southern border continues putting the lives of Texans – and Americans – at risk and is overwhelming our communities,” Abbott said in an Aug. 31 statement. “To continue providing much-needed relief to our small, overrun border towns, Chicago will join fellow sanctuary cities Washington, D.C., and New York City as an additional drop-off location.”

Hou said the other cities have warned that “this will not relent.”

Pritzker said once migrants arrive, city and state staff work with state-funded welcoming centers and nonprofits such as Catholic Charities and Salvation Army to “triage and determine their immediate needs, prioritizing infants, children, seniors and families.”

He and local lawmakers characterized the migrant situation as a national problem. Lightfoot said the situation in Chicago is a “manufactured crisis.”

“The normal lines of communication that we have with state leaders, particularly when it comes to issues of emergency management or law enforcement, (Abbott) has shut those off from us. So it is a manufactured crisis by ambush to be very clear,” she said.

Pritzker said Illinois is seeking federal help and his staff has been working with Illinois’ members of Congress and the White House to “make sure that we get the re-

sources that we need,” such as federal appropriations that have been available in other states that have received migrants from Texas.

Lightfoot said resources going to Texas should be cut off and sent to cities welcoming migrants.

Pritzker said he believed the state has available resources in the IDHS budget to deal with the migrants in the near term.

“But absolutely, there is a point at which that we wouldn’t have the resources to continue, and

you’ve seen thousands and thousands arriving in New York and in D.C., and it’s an enormous burden on those cities,” he said.

Lightfoot, whose city received most of the migrants, said it will continue to assist them.

“The reality is we have a finite number of resources here in the city of Chicago and the county of Cook,” she said. “And so there will be a need to expand the number of communities across the state that may have to step up.”

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cooK counTy

Retiring trustee Bill grear to be honored William “Bill” Grear has announced that he will resign from his position as Village of Morton Grove Trustee effective September 26, 2022. Bill’s 13 years of service on the Village Board culminates a lifetime of service to Morton Grove and has been described by him as “some of the happiest years of my life.”

Bill Grear was born and raised in Morton Grove along with his nine siblings. He attended St. Martha Elementary School and

Notre Dame High School. His fourdecade long career with the U.S. Postal Service provided him with ample opportunities to connect with a diverse group of people each day and develop his unique set of communication skills. His work schedule also gave him time to pursue his passion for serving the community.

Bill and his wife Janice raised their three children in Morton Grove. While his children were in school, Bill volunteered for many

years as an assistant coach and coach for a variety of sports. Bill was also a perennial volunteer for countless fundraisers and community events. His blend of humor and empathy endeared him to adults and children of all ages and backgrounds. Bill has also been a key leader in organizing and running the Village’s annual Morton Grove Days Festival, as a volunteer, and recently, as the President of the Morton Grove Days Commission.

Bill was first elected as Village Trustee in 2009. As Trustee, Bill took a “hands on” approach while dedicating himself to his mission of making life better for the residents, businesses, and employees of Morton Grove. He has served as Trustee Liaison to the Police Department, Fire Department, RED Center, Public Works, Finance Department, and the Building Department. His desire to solve problems and love for his neighbors supplied the tools he needed

to serve his community with pride and distinction. Mayor Dan DiMaria commented, “Bill has been an invaluable asset and friend to me and to our Village. He is a trusted partner and an outstanding representative for our residents.

His efforts have been critical to our successes over the last 13 years. I will miss his steadfast support and passionate advocacy.”

Bill Grear will be honored for his service to the Village at the September 26, 2022 Village

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dupage counTy

district 99 students receive grant from the Illinois press Foundation Journalism students at South High School in Downers Grove received a 2022 grant from the Illinois Press Foundation and Illinois Farm Bureau.

The $1,400 grant will be used to purchase a professional camera and kit for students to take quality photographs.

South High is one of 16 grant recipients, including North High School in Downers Grove, from across Illinois this year.

“It’s so invigorating to see students engaged in journalism and excited about learning the foundational elements of the craft,” said Jeff Rogers, director of the Illinois Press Foundation. Illinois Press Foundation Board of Director Dr. Peggy Bradford visited the school and presented the donation to Emma Fudacz, Ava Lafin and Abigail Culcasi, the editors in chief of Blueprint, the school’s award-winning student newspaper.

“Part of my mission when applying for this grant was to make photography more accessible to all students,” said Mary Long, English teacher and

Blueprint adviser. “Not everyone has a $1,000 camera at home to use. Students are relying on their phones and Chromebooks, and this often produces grainy photographs. Now all students in the class will be able to learn how to use this, take pictures, and diversify their portfolios.”

Students at North High School in Downers Grove also received a grant to purchase a camera.

The Illinois Press Foundation is dedicated to promoting and protecting free expression through educational activities that foster the practice and respect of First Amendment principles and values, to enhance the quality of services provided by newspapers to their communities, and to support reading and literacy efforts.

The IPF was established in 1982 as the charitable arm of the Illinois Press Association; it promotes and protects free expression through educational activities. Read more at www.illinoispressfoundation.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

emma Fudacz, ava lafin and abigail culcasi (l-r), who serve as editors-in-chief of the Blueprint student newspaper at south High, accept a $1,400 grant from dr. peggy Bradford from the Illinois press Foundation.

The journalism students will purchase a new camera and kit with the funds.

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