Illinois quick hits: LGBQT, abortion group to protest at DNC; new migrant shelters to open

LGBQT, abortion group to protest at DNC

Chicago officials are giving a group permission to march downtown, hours before the Democratic National Convention gets underway.

The LGBTQ and abortion rights group Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws had been seeking a permit to protest during the convention. Leaders said the march will pass by Millennium Park and hotels where DNC delegates are staying.

Two new migrant shelters to open

Two new state funded shelters will open to house hundreds of migrants. One shelter is located near Midway International Airport, while the other will be in Hyde Park.The governor’s office said it would not share the address of either location for safety and privacy concerns.

As of earlier this month, Chicago officials said nearly 1,000 individuals had exited the shelter system because of the 60-day shelter stay policy. Of those, over 500 had reentered the system.

Sinkhole swallows Alton soccer field

A massive sinkhole swallowed up part of a soccer field in Alton Wednesday.

A construction company said an underground mine collapsed at Gordon Moore City Park. Alton parks and recreation officials estimate the sinkhole is about 100-feet wide and 30-feet deep.

Currently, the park is closed while the damage is assessed and repairs planned.