Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson may be souring on President Joe Biden as illegal immigrants continue to enter the city of Chicago and the White House provides little help.
In a Sunday evening phone call, the Illinois leader pressed White House officials on plans to aid the state, specifically the city of Chicago, as the influx of illegal immigrants strains resources. According to CNN, the call featured Pritzker and Johnson demanding assistance from the federal government to address the increasing number of immigrants arriving in the city, especially as leaders expect Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) to increase the number of immigrants being bused to cities across the country.
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A falling out with Pritzker could be a particularly brutal hit for Biden's reelection campaign, as the top Democratic governor is both a surrogate for him and a member of the campaign's national advisory board.
The number of illegal immigrants who have arrived in the city in the past year or so lies around 15,000. This, plus any additional immigrants sent by border states such as Texas, poses a concern as Chicago braces for winter.
White House officials on the call, reportedly intergovernmental affairs director Tom Perez and chief of staff Jeff Zients, urged the city to implement programs similar to those in New York City, such as working to help illegal immigrants get work permits. This wasn't particularly welcome advice for the leaders, considering the pleas New York's politicians have made for federal help.
Further, Pritzker reportedly wrote a letter to Biden on Monday demanding that the president respond to the problem of illegal immigration at the southern border. He asked that Biden take the lead on ushering in a coordinated response at the border.
Abbott has been busing illegal immigrants to cities across the United States, which advertise themselves as sanctuaries for those who are illegally in the country, since 2022.
The surge of illegal immigrants in New York City and the lack of federal help from Biden has driven a wedge between the White House and Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY). Both leaders have pleaded with the administration to help with the problem. Adams is reportedly not on speaking terms with the president due to his inaction, while Hochul appears to be civil with Biden.
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A similar fate is possible for Biden's relationships with Pritzker and Johnson if he ignores their calls for help. The emerging fractures among prominent Democrats could further spell bad news for Biden in what already promises to be a close election in 2024.
Neither Pritzker nor the White House provided comment to the Washington Examiner.