SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) – The State of Illinois will spend another $17 million to support migrants from the southern US Border.

This round of funding will go to towns and cities outside of Chicago that are welcoming asylum seekers.

According to a Tuesday press release, the funds will come from the previously announced $160 million state investment to support the asylum seeker response.  The wraparound services this funding will cover includes temporary shelter, emergency triage, case management, legal services – including work-permit and temporary protective status application submission, health screenings and immunizations, interpretation and translation services, workplace readiness, school enrollment, basic orientation on self-sufficiency options, and strategies on how to become self-sufficient.

More than 38,000 people have been sent to Illinois by state officials in Texas since 2022.