OIG Assessment of City’s New Arrivals Mission Finds Accuracy and Transparency in City’s Reported Support for over 46,000 New Arrivals

FOR RELEASE:
July 22, 2026

PRESS CONTACT:
Deanna Shoss, Communications, 773-478-8417

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published an explainer report on the City's provision of services to over 46,000 migrants and asylum seekers between August 31, 2022, and December 31, 2024, referred to by the City as "new arrivals." The objectives of this project were to evaluate the accuracy of the City's reporting on expenditures on services for new arrivals, the sources of those funds, and how the City spent those funds. Additionally, this project analyzed whether the City followed its procurement and payment procedures during the new arrivals mission.

"Chicago faced a significant humanitarian challenge during the new arrivals mission, resulting in the expenditure of substantial City funds. Our review found the City accurately reported this spending and followed established procurement processes, an important foundation for responsible stewardship during urgent, complex operations," said David Glockner, inspector general for the City of Chicago.

During the 28-month new arrivals mission, the City received at least 46,282 people, mainly from Venezuela but also from other countries in the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The City responded with a whole-of-government approach, with multiple departments collaborating to provide resources and basic needs for new arrivals. The City housed the majority of new arrivals across 38 shelters, and at its peak in January 2024, sheltered more than 15,000 people.

OIG reviewed the City's reported expenditure of a combined $639,654,965 in City and grant funds on the mission, mainly on staffing, facilities, and food. OIG found that the City's reporting was accurate and transparent, with only $50,916 in transactions that should have been included in the reported total but were omitted.

OIG also found that the City followed its existing procurement and invoicing procedures in providing services related to new arrivals. Procurements were made through a combination of competitive bidding, requests for proposals, joint procurements, reference contracts, and independent contracting authority. The City did not make use of its emergency procurement authority. A review of a sample of 100 invoices totaling $20.4 million found that 99.61 percent of the sample followed the City's procurement and invoicing procedures. While City departments told OIG that the mission increased their workloads and impacted their facilities, they also characterized the additional work as part of their normal duties in responding to emergency events and assisting people in need.

OIG conducts audits to evaluate effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in City programs. Additionally, OIG may periodically publish an "explainer," a type of publication designed to provide Chicagoans with clear, basic information about City laws, processes, or issues.

Read the Report

• Read the full report published on July 22, 2026
• Leer en español el informe de la OIG: el apoyo de la ciudad a la misión de atención a los recién llegados: una explicación

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