• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Days ahead of tight re-election bid, Chicago mayor cracks down on airport homeless encampments
Economy

Days ahead of tight re-election bid, Chicago mayor cracks down on airport homeless encampments

by February 18, 2023
by February 18, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot vowed to remove the homeless encampment at Chicago O’Hare International Airport being blasted by Democratic Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez. The city’s Alderman sounded the alarm about Chicago’s spiraling homelessness crisis on ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight.’

‘We absolutely fundamentally cannot have people sleeping in our airports who are homeless,’ Lightfoot, who is facing re-election, assured reporters in a press conference on Thursday. 

‘That is unacceptable. We are going to continue, within the bounds of the law, to do what is necessary to provide those folks with support but elsewhere. They can’t be in our airports.’ 

Lightfoot, who has previously been criticized for her handling of crime and homelessness, among other issues facing the Windy City, is locked in a tight re-election race. Democrat Paul Vallas maintains a lead over the incumbent mayor, according to recent polls. 

In the Democrat’s remarks, Lightfoot assured Chicagoans that her office is aware of the seriousness of the situation and is working on a solution.

‘The fact of the matter is, we have taken and will continue to take the steps that are necessary to move people out of the airports,’ Lightfoot said. ‘The airports are a very different place than on the street, under an underpass. It’s a secure location, and the message is clear from me to the Department of Aviation, the Police Department up there.’

The controversial mayor also argued that the media has blown the issue out of proportion, stating, ‘They’re never going to portray our city in a favorable light.’

Last week, images depicting what many have dubbed the airport’s ‘homeless encampment’ prompted critics to point fingers at the mayor’s lack of leadership. The images and videos emerging from the international airport showed filthy homeless encampments and makeshift homes throughout airport terminals.

‘They’re not just urinating in the hallways,’ Lopez told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday. ‘They’re taking baths in the toilets there. They’re making a mockery of what Chicago is here, and we understand that homelessness is a problem we must address.’

‘But making O’Hare Airport a homeless shelter for hundreds of people on a daily basis, when we’re trying to welcome people here, when we’re trying to encourage tourism, bring back the business clientele, bring back families to our city, and to only have them greeted by hundreds of homeless who have mental health issues, may be armed, may be not even be clothed, that’s not something that institutes a lot of confidence in our mayor, in our city,’ he continued. 

Though the number of people seeking shelter at O’Hare in the winter months always increases, the homeless encampments this winter have increased sharply.

According to the Haymarket Center’s O’Hare Outreach program, which connects persons suffering from homelessness and seeking refuge at the airport with services, the outreach assisted 618 unhoused people at the airport in 2022, an increase of 58% from 431 in 2021. In 2022, Haymarket had 14,000 encounters with the unhoused, a huge increase over 2018, when 8,132 interactions were recorded with 392 persons.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday an increased police presence could be seen at the airport, with a cadre of officers stationed at the O’Hare Blue Line stop inside the airport. 

On Wednesday evening, officers could be seen asking people coming into the airport to show their airline tickets or work IDs. 

The law enforcement source said some of the unhoused people have displayed ‘erratic and confrontational behavior.’ That’s raised safety concerns for both passengers and employees, including maintenance workers and parking lot attendants who have recently been attacked.

Video

Four years ago, Lightfoot made history as the city’s first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chicago mayor. Now, the mayor is up for re-election and is facing scrutiny amid concerns about continuing high crime in the nation’s third-largest city.

Ahead of the Feb. 29 mayoral election, Lightfoot faces a crowded race with nine other candidates vying for her position.

During her campaign, the mayor has been forced to go on the defensive in regard to heightened crime and homelessness under her leadership.

‘We have started to change Chicago around for the better,’ Lightfoot said during a recent debate. ‘I want to finish the job that we have started.’

In 2022 alone, major crime reports up 41% in 2022 and Chicago police staffing down 12% since she became mayor.

Lightfoot’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News’ Bailee Hill contributed to this report.

Sarah Rumpf is a Fox News Digital Production Assistant. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • ApeCoin and Akita Inu: Targets and Support Levels Today
  • Sen. Katie Britt recovering at home after non-life-threatening medical scare
  • TikTok user freakout reveals awful secret owners were trying to hide
  • New Hampshire Gov. Sununu signs $15.2B ‘miracle’ budget into law
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Here is where oil and gas production is increasing and decreasing across the US: Spotlight Energy Matters
next post
The Bullish Case for Gold

You may also like

Chip Roy says booting Mike Johnson from speakership ‘on the...

January 11, 2024

Sen. Menendez responds to latest superseding indictment on corruption charges:...

January 10, 2024

Crypto News: Key Developments in Trump’s First Week

January 24, 2025

Biden not in contact with Dem leaders on the Hill,...

July 2, 2024

A look back at Biden’s Remarkable 50-year career in politics

March 20, 2025

Retired top FBI counterintelligence agent who led Trump-Russia probe arrested...

January 24, 2023

Alabama Secretary of State Allen announces withdrawal from voter registration...

January 19, 2023

Privacy in the Digital Era: Who Controls Private Data?

November 30, 2022

Former Burisma lawyer registers as foreign agent more than seven...

January 7, 2024

Democrat lawmakers defend character of Republican official facing investigation related...

August 23, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,630 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,320 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,302 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Kentucky governor accused of violating open...

    January 18, 2023

    Trump rejects idea Secret Service couldn’t...

    July 17, 2023

    Johnson warned against making ‘side deals’...

    May 8, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here