Chicago’s Migrant Shelters Prepare for Evictions Amid Measles Outbreak

Despite the ongoing measles outbreak, some of Chicago’s migrant shelters are set to begin evictions this weekend after Mayor Brandon Johnson imposed a 60-day limit for those staying at the facilities.

The policy was first announced last fall, but it was extended several times over the winter. Now evictions will move forward, just on a smaller scale than originally planned.

This Sunday, March 17, city officials confirm 34 migrants will be forced to leave their shelters and find a new place to call ‘home.’

“It’s about 34-35 people on Sunday, but by the end of April, it would be 2,000 people who would be out without a home,” said Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward). “There are consequences to these decisions that I think will end up costing the taxpayer more than what our current situation is.”

Earlier this week, Ald. Vasquez penned a letter to the mayor – signed by dozens of council members and local groups – asking that the policy be reconsidered.

“We actually need to be expanding capacity rather than downsizing,” said Vasquez.

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To make matters more complicated, the first round of evictions comes amid the city’s measles outbreak.

Since last week, 12 cases have been confirmed in Chicago – six adults and six children. Ten of those cases are linked to the Pilsen migrant shelter.

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Migrants who arrive at the landing zone and cannot prove prior vaccination or refuse the MMR vaccine will no longer be placed in a shelter, officials said.

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