A group of residents in the South Shore neighborhood are pushing back on a city plan to house migrants in a former high school.
The residents say they have filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order against the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools to prevent a migrant respite center from opening in the former South Shore High School building.
The suit contends using the school for a migrant center is in violation of its lease.
“The lack of community input regarding such a significant and transformative undertaking has caused considerable distress and concern among the residents of South Shore,” the suit says.
Last week, a town hall meeting was held in the neighborhood where members of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration broke down their plan for the building.
The school would be used as a temporary location where migrants can rest, eat and shower before a more permanent location to house them is found.
Many residents pushed back on that plan, saying the area’s residents have been fighting for the building to be used as a community hub for those in the neighborhood.