West Cook News

Concerns have been raised about the behavior of the illegal immigrants seeking shelter at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park.

The church, located one block north of Fenwick High School, is providing shelter to over 100 migrants as part of the community's response to the escalating crisis of illegal immigrants in the region.

“Migrants hanging out in the alley. Playing loud music, drinking smoking leaving litter all over,” a post in Oak Park Area Crime Discussion reads.

Churches in Oak Park are not zoned as shelters.

Dan Yopchick, Oak Park's communication personnel, did not respond to a media request regarding the police calls.

The Community of Congregations in an earlier post on Facebook noted the recent arrivals.

“Two nights ago 100 migrants who were previously sleeping outside at District 15 in Austin were welcomed by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, one of our member congregations,” the Community of Congregations said on Facebook. “What happens next remains fluid and unknown.”

Following the notice, Oak Park recently took extraordinary steps by temporarily suspending purchasing requirements, including formal bidding procedures, to expedite assistance to those seeking shelter in the area.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting, with unanimous approval from the Village Board, to provide aid and support to those seeking shelter in Oak Park.

The Village of Oak Park's temporary suspension of purchasing requirements is set to be in effect until early December and is part of their evolving response plan to the situation.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is providing shelter until other accommodations can be secured such as apartment housing in the area.

The church recently initiated an effort to aid a migrant family consisting of four members, including a mother, father, a 7-year-old girl, and a 19-month-old boy, who are set to move to Oak Park on November 15.

“Migrant Family Apartment Supplies Needed Soon,” a church announcement reads.

“Good Shepherd will begin accompanying a migrant family of 4 (mom, dad, 7 year-old girl, and 19 month-old boy) moving to Oak Park on November 15.”

This measure comes in response to the recent influx of over 17,000 illegal immigrants in Chicago since August 2022, prompting suburban communities to address the housing crisis caused by the surge.

In its October newsletter Good Shepherd noted its "Ministry With Migrants.”

In the newsletter, the church underlined the current situation, where many illegal immigrants were sleeping in shelters or on the floors of police stations.

Good Shepherd emphasized its participation in sponsoring migrant families and called upon volunteers to join their efforts.

“The border has come to us,” Good Shepherd’s October newsletter read. “Good Shepherd is joining other congregations in Oak Park who are sponsoring migrant families and we need YOU!”

Mary Scherer-Emunds runs Good Shepherd’s social ministry.

“Our mission is to support programs bringing help to members, our community and the world, and to educate Good Shepherd members concerning justice and social welfare issues,” the social ministry’s entry on Good Shepherd's website reads.

Scherer-Emunds was previously a teacher at Proviso Math and Science Academy.