A True leader for the Latino Community! Juntos Podemos SPRINGFIELD — Illinois could become a temporary home for Central American children as part of an effort to find housing for the thousands of immigrants pouring into the U.S. In a statement issued Friday, a spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn said the state will help find lodging for the children if asked. If a location is needed we are prepared to aid the federal government in finding a suitable one, said spokesman Grant Klintzman. The statement came after Quinn last week met with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. He said he let her know that Illinois is prepared to help preserve the well-being of the children. My administration will continue to discuss this important subject with other federal, state and local elected officials, Quinn said in the statement. In times of trouble, we cannot forget that kindness to strangers and trusting in our faith will always help lead us to do the right thing. It remains unclear what kind of space Illinois might offer the federal government if requested. The state has a number of vacant prisons, juvenile detention centers and developmental centers. And, Illinois has taken in refugees before. In 2005, the state received thousands of displaced victims from the Gulf Coast states after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Several hundred individuals and families were provided housing at state mental health facilities in Tinley Park, Elgin, Alton and Rockford. A spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections said Friday the agency has not been involved in any discussions concerning housing for the children. Facilities in Tamms and Dwight are currently empty. The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice has two shuttered facilities — in Murphysboro and Joliet. A spokeswoman did not return messages Friday. The Illinois Department of Human Services also has empty facilities, including the now-closed developmental center in Jacksonville. A federal Health and Human Services fact sheet shows it is using three military bases — in Texas, California and Oklahoma — to house an estimated 3,000 children. The impact on the local community is minimal, states the fact sheet. The Department of Health and Human Services pays for and provides all services for the children through its network of grantees. In addition to the possible use of state facilities, federal officials also have asked non-governmental advocacy groups about possible housing solutions. Catholic Charities of Chicago has submitted a proposal to the federal government to provide assistance, including housing, to the children. We are definitely ready to help them, said spokeswoman Kristine Kappel.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:26:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015