Six municipalities will receive $41.5 million in state funds to help provide services like healthcare to asylum seekers, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday. [Health News Illinois] 

The majority of funds, nearly $30.3 million, will go to the city of Chicago. Other areas receiving funds include:

·    $8.6 million for Joliet

·    $1.3 million for Elgin

·    $1 million for Lake County

·    $250,000 for Urbana

·    $150,000 for Oak Park

Along with health services, the administration said the funds will be used for shelter, housing, food, wraparound services and legal support.

"Although we will still need significant federal support as this crisis continues, these grants will empower local governments to build out services and supports for new arrivals so we can successfully transition them into our state and give them the opportunity to complete their legal asylum process,” Pritzker said in a statement announcing the grants.

The funds are from a state budget allocation to the Department of Human Services. The agency will distribute the funds in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, which provides oversight on Notice of Funding Opportunity processes.

“Today's awards demonstrate our commitment to assisting recent arrivals from the southern border with the resources that they need to be successful,” said department Secretary Grace Hou.

The Pritzker administration said Illinois has received more than 15,000 new arrivals since last year.

The announcement came a day after Pritzker raised concerns over a plan by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for a $29.4 million contract to build winter tent basecamps for asylum seekers.

Pritzker told reporters at an unrelated event that the city could instead create shelters in existing, unused buildings.

 “I have concerns about it, and we continue to have conversations about it,” Pritzker said.

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