Over the course of several weeks, Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy and the City Council engaged in a highly visible effort to decline an $8.6 million grant offered by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, intended to support organizations offering services to asylum-seekers in the Joliet/Plainfield region.
Joliet and Plainfield, neighboring areas within Will County, Illinois, sharing a significant border and belonging to the same metropolitan and media region. From the start of October, a divisive and negative campaign has been the prominent focus of local news and social media.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy alleged that Township Supervisor Angel Contreras had acted in a way that was almost fraudulent for failing to communicate about the grant. Subsequently, it was revealed that the city had indeed been informed, and the Mayor's statement was found to be untrue.
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2023/10/05/joliet-officials-acknowledge-staff-knew-about-grant-for-asylum-seekers/
For weeks, this matter took center stage in local news and on social media, becoming the primary topic of discussion throughout the community. Supporters faced criticism, harassment, and the usual right wing threats of violence.
On Friday Oct 13, Mayor D’Arcy and his goons prevailed. Joliet Township pulled out of the Grant.
On Saturday Oct 14, right wing nut job Joseph Czuba took matters into his own hands and stabbed six year old Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother Hanan Shaheen.
The Mayor and Councilman Larry Hug laid the groundwork with their anti-immigrant language and endeavors to declare Joliet a 'non-sanctuary city.' The conflict in the Middle East pushed Czuba beyond his limits.
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2023/10/19/joliet-council-members-condemn-heated-public-rhetoric-threats-in-recent-weeks/