Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot has committed to demolish the homeless encampment near Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which Democratic Alderman Raymond Lopez has criticized. The city’s Alderman warned on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” about the escalating homeless situation in Chicago.
Thursday during a press conference, Lightfoot, who is running for re-election, informed reporters, “We absolutely cannot have homeless people sleeping in our airports.”
“It is inadmissible. We will continue, within the confines of the law, to do everything is necessary to provide those individuals with assistance elsewhere. They are not allowed at our airports.”
Lightfoot, who has been criticized in the past for her management of violence and homelessness, among other challenges affecting the Windy City, is involved in a close reelection contest. Recent surveys indicate that Democrat Paul Vallas holds a lead against the incumbent mayor.
In her remarks, the Democrat reassured Chicagoans that her office is aware of the gravity of the problem and is working to find a solution.
“We have taken and will continue to take the necessary steps to move people out of airports,” said Lightfoot. “Airports are a totally different environment than an underpass on the street. It’s a secure site, and my message to the Department of Aviation and Police Department up there is quite obvious.”
The contentious mayor also maintained that the media exaggerated the situation, claiming, “They will never portray our city in a positive light.”
Images displaying what many have nicknamed the airport’s “homeless encampment” drew criticism of the mayor’s lack of leadership last week. Images and videos from the international airport depicted filthy homeless encampments and makeshift dwellings in airport terminals.
Wednesday, Lopez told Tucker Carlson, “They’re not just urinating in the hallways.” “They are bathing in the restrooms there. They are making a mockery of Chicago, and we recognize that we must handle the issue of homelessness.”
“But making O’Hare Airport a homeless shelter for hundreds of people on a daily basis, when we’re trying to welcome people, 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 not even be clothed, that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in our mayor and our city,” he continued.
Although the number of people seeking refuge at O’Hare during the winter months increases annually, the number of homeless encampments has expanded dramatically this year.
According to the Haymarket Center’s O’Hare Outreach program, which connects homeless people seeking shelter at the airport with services, 618 homeless people were aided at the airport in 2022, a 58% increase from 431 in 2021. In 2022, Haymarket had 14,000 interactions with the homeless, a significant rise from 2018 when 8,132 interactions with 392 individuals were documented.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, there was a heightened police presence at the airport, with a contingent of cops stationed at the O’Hare Blue Line stop within the airport.
On Wednesday evening, cops were observed requesting flight tickets or work identification from passengers entering the airport.
Some of the homeless, according to the law enforcement source, have exhibited “erratic and confrontational behavior.” This has generated safety concerns for both passengers and personnel, including recently attacked maintenance workers and parking lot attendants.
Four years ago, Lightfoot made history by becoming the city’s first Black woman and first openly homosexual mayor. Today, the mayor is up for re-election and is under examination due to concerns over the city’s continued high crime rate.
Lightfoot faces a crowded campaign ahead of the February 28 mayoral election, with nine other candidates competing for her seat.
During her campaign, the mayor has been compelled to defend her record on crime and homelessness, which have increased under her watch.
During a recent discussion, Lightfoot stated, “We have already begun to improve Chicago.” “I want to complete the work that we have begun.”
Since she became mayor, serious crime reports have increased by 41% in 2022 while Chicago police staffing has decreased by 12%.
The office of Lightfoot did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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