No More Migrants Expected In Burr Ridge: Mayor

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso said Monday that he "strongly" believed that no more migrants would be sent to Burr Ridge.

The mayor was responding to questions from residents at Monday's Village Board meeting.

Last Wednesday, the state sent 64 Venezuelan migrants from Chicago to Burr Ridge's Hampton Inn. Village officials said they found out about the transfer after it happened.

Grasso said he did not expect more migrants after the "stink" the village made about the state's procedure.

"We made our position well known," Grasso said. "I had the full support of the board. I think we articulated what the issue is."

He said he was reinforced in his expectation by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who called him Sunday.

"She said you had the right to know. You have the right to keep your residents informed," Grasso said. "I'm sure she won't put us in that position again."

Grasso said Burr Ridge is asking hotels to let the village know if migrants come into their facilities.

Placements of migrants, Grasso said, need his express approval, after he has conferred with the Village Board.

"Migrant issues are not within the customary license of a hotel. That would take a special request to the Village Board for that to ever happen again," the mayor said. "This is our village, our house. We want to know who's here and under what circumstances."

The village has said the current migrants aren't expected to stay at Hampton Inn for more than 30 days.