Contreras Urged To Withdraw Joliet Township's Asylum Grant Application

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy wants Joliet Township Supervisor Angel Contreras to withdraw his application that could bring $8.6 million in state of Illinois tax dollars to Joliet Township to cover the costs of bringing people from other countries seeking asylum status.

"I want to take a moment to clarify the facts regarding the recent news about a grant for Municipalities Serving Asylum Seekers," D'Arcy announced Monday evening. "The people sitting on this dais were placed here by the people of Joliet with a duty and obligation to preserve and protect their investment in their property and preserve their quality of life.

"That said, the decision-makers in the city did not have knowledge of a grant request made by Joliet Township and with community partners and organizations."

Last Friday, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Joliet will receive $8.6 million to house asylum seekers who are coming to Illinois to start a new life for themselves and their families.

According to Joliet's new mayor, "The City of Joliet Mayor’s Office and Joliet Fire Department did not sign or approve any Memorandum of Understanding with the Township or with other community partners and other organizations on the grant that was submitted.

"If the township accepts this grant and individuals arrive in our city, it will be a tremendous strain and overtaxing our existing infrastructure impacting our Joliet School System, social services, public and private health resources and public safety."

D'Arcy said he wants "to ensure the residents understand the City of Joliet Mayor’s Office and the Joliet Fire Department did not approve, agree to or sign off on this grant application.

"I have been in discussions with State Representatives Larry Walsh Jr., and Natalie Manley, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, and County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant about this grant.

"None of them were aware of this application until the release that went out late last Friday afternoon. I have asked Joliet Supervisor Angel Contreras to withdraw the grant application," D'Arcy announced in Monday's statement.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet Township's $8.6M Asylum Grant: Angel Contreras Not Talking Yet