Illinois quick hits: Migrant shelters announced; house fire drains water supply
Migrant shelters announced
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services announced construction is underway on two new shelter sites. Officials said the sites, a base camp in Brighton Park and a brick-and-mortar site in Little Village, will house up to 2,200 asylum seekers in total.
Work to construct and operate the shelters is being funded by state taxpayers through Pritzker’s $160 million investment in the asylum seeker process as well as the $478 million in state funding that has been committed to the response over state fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
House fire drains water supply
Dozens of firefighters were needed from several Central Illinois fire departments to battle a large house fire near Monticello Sunday.
Officials with the Mid-Piatt Fire Protection District said the fire started in a crawl space and spread quickly. Due to a shortage of water, other fire departments were called in. As a result of the large amount of water needed to battle the flames, the city of Monticello asked residents to minimize water usage.
Letters for veterans campaign launches
The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has launched the 2023 “Operation Rising Spirit” campaign encouraging service organizations, schools, communities and individuals to write letters of appreciation to veterans residing at the state’s veterans’ homes in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno and Quincy.
Operation Rising Spirit was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to support residents who were unable to visit with family and friends. To participate, notes may be sent directly to the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Springfield.
