In a tumultuous turn of events, a special City Council meeting in Chicago to discuss the city's sanctuary status was met with protests and disrupted proceedings on Tuesday. Demonstrators filled the council chambers, voicing their frustrations over the sanctuary city policy and demanding a public referendum on the matter. The meeting had to be suspended as the intense protests made it impossible for officials to continue the proceedings.

Last week, an attempt was made to hold a vote on an ordinance that would introduce a referendum on next spring's ballot to allow the public to decide the fate of Chicago's sanctuary city status. However, the meeting failed to reach a quorum, and some aldermen alleged that Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa denied access to other council members.

Many aldermen expressed concerns about the significant financial burden placed on the city by the provision of shelters and support for migrants. They argued that these resources should be redirected towards meeting the needs of their communities. This sentiment led to hundreds of protesters gathering at City Hall to express their opposition.

During the rules committee hearing on Tuesday, some aldermen briefly discussed the sanctuary city issue before the meeting was abruptly shut down due to the rowdy atmosphere. The crowd's persistent chants and shouts made it difficult for the aldermen's voices to be heard.

Efforts are now underway to reschedule the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, which was originally planned for 11 a.m. Aldermen have indicated that the sanctuary city issue is likely to return to the agenda when the rules committee reconvenes this Thursday. However, measures will need to be implemented to regain control over the crowd. Whether or not the public will be allowed back into the council chambers for future meetings remains uncertain.

The clash between council members and protesters highlights the deep divisions surrounding the sanctuary city policy in Chicago. As tensions escalate, the city government must find a way to navigate this contentious issue while ensuring the voices of all parties involved are heard and respected.