Brighton Park Ald. Julia Ramirez claimed in an open letter to her constituents that construction on the camp, located at 38th Street and California Avenue, would commence on Monday. However, mayoral spokesperson Ronnie Reese has refuted this, stating that construction is not set to begin on Monday.

The exact timeline for construction remains uncertain, with Reese explaining that equipment delivery and staging will take place today, in preparation for construction at a later date. This ongoing discrepancy highlights the latest discord between Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration and alderpeople regarding migrant plans.

The controversy surrounding the proposed Brighton Park camp was first sparked in October when Ramirez criticized Mayor Johnson for a perceived lack of transparency in the process. Ramirez pointed out that her office had not submitted any potential locations when the mayor's office initially announced plans for winterized base camps, and accused the administration of engaging directly with the property owner without her knowledge.

Mayor Johnson's suggestion of establishing "winterized base camps" aimed to relocate thousands of migrants from police stations to temporary shelters in order to provide them with adequate shelter during winter months. However, the plan has faced criticism from skeptics, both in terms of the proposed camps and the company awarded a $29 million city contract for their construction.

Protests against the Brighton Park camp have started to grow, with neighbor Judy Mai among a handful of demonstrators expressing their opposition to the project. Mai stated that the community had been left in the dark about the city's plans and called for its cancellation.

Despite the backlash, city officials have defended the decision, asserting that establishing the camp is a necessary strategy. Additionally, the city is also planning another tent camp at 115th and Halsted streets on the Far South Side.

According to Cristina Pacione Zayas, Mayor Johnson's deputy chief of staff, around 500 people, primarily families with children, are expected to move into the Brighton Park tent camp initially, with a maximum capacity of approximately 2,000 residents. As per a city fact sheet, if the site passes all assessments, it would take a minimum of four days to set up the physical camp before residents can be welcomed.

One concern raised by Ald. Ramirez in her letter is the presence of "toxic metals" in the soil, even though the city claims to have remediated the area. Ramirez remains unconvinced about the safety of individuals residing at the proposed campsite, underscoring the need for further clarification and assurances regarding this issue.

As discussions and debates continue, the fate of the Brighton Park migrant tent camp hangs in the balance, leaving both supporters and critics eagerly awaiting updates on its progress and eventual opening date.