As More Migrants Arrive in Chicago, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Slams Govs. Abbott, DeSantis

As More Migrants Arrive in Chicago, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Slams Govs. Abbott, DeSantis

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Here are today's top stories It's Monday, Sep. 19th. 1 As More Migrants Arrive in Chicago, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Slams Govs. Abbott, DeSantis As more buses of migrants continue to arrive not only in Chicago, but also Massachusetts, New York and Washington D.C., Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin slammed Texas and Florida Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis for the way they've handled the crisis. 'It's pathetic that these governors are taking advantage of these helpless people and making promises to them to get on that bus, and life is just going to be fine," Durbin said on NBC's Meet The Press Sunday. "And off they go to places far removed from where they're supposed to be appearing under the requirements of our law," Durbin continued. "It's always the kids that end up being the victims." Read More → 2 Chicago-Area Man Freed by Taliban in Exchange for Afghan Drug Lord, Family Says An American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan for more than two years by the Taliban has been released, his family said Monday, as a Taliban drug lord jailed by the United States was also freed and returned to Kabul. Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who had spent more than a decade in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor, was abducted in January 2020 and was believed to have been held since then by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network. Negotiations for his release had centered on a deal that would also involve the release of Bashir Noorzai, a notorious drug lord and member of the Taliban who told reporters in Kabul on Monday that he spent 17 years and six months in U.S. captivity. Read More → 3 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued in Several Chicago-Area Counties Several Chicago-area counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch as fierce winds and heavy downpours remain possible through Monday morning. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle and Will counties until 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Damaging winds and large hail are expected to pair with heavy rainfall, heightening the threat of severe weather, the NBC 5 Storm Team said. According to the Storm Prediction Center, the Chicago area is at a "marginal risk" of severe weather, the lowest of five potential alert levels on the SPC scale. Read More → 4 Bears Observations: Offense Struggles in 27-10 Loss Vs. Packers What we learned as Fields, offense struggle in loss vs. Packers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Ryan Poles said the Bears wanted to "take back the north" during his introductory press conference. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers let them know Sunday at Lambeau Field that they have a lot of work to do. Read More → 5 Will You Need a Polio Vaccine Booster as Concerns Rise in U.S.? Here's What Chicago's Top Doc Said Local officials are monitoring the spread of polio amid growing national concerns, leaving some wondering what measures will be used to curb the spread of the virus, including the possibility of polio vaccine boosters. New York declared a state of emergency Sept. 9 to boost vaccination efforts after polio was detected in wastewater in four counties in the New York area, as well as New York City itself. Local officials have stressed that the risk to Chicago remains low thanks to an overall vaccination rate above 95%. Polio immunizations are grouped with other childhood vaccinations and are required to enroll in public school. Read More → 6 Cases of Scabies Reported Among Migrants From Texas Staying at Suburban Hotel Two cases of scabies have been confirmed at an Elk Grove Village hotel among migrants who were bused to the suburban community from Texas approximately one week ago, village officials said Sunday. In a Facebook post, the village explained officials are monitoring two cases of scabies involving migrants staying at its LaQuinta Hotel, and that the affected individuals are being "provided appropriate treatment." The dozens of other migrants staying at the facility have been screened for symptoms, according to the Facebook post, which added LaQuinta is working to clean and sanitize the facility to limit exposure. Local hospital officials confirmed both individuals' symptoms were the result of scabies cases, which were discovered by Elk Grove firefighters who responded to the hotel for an unrelated call. Read More → Got a tip or story idea? tips@nbcchicago.com Follow NBC Chicago Unsubscribe from this Mailing | Unsubscribe from all | Privacy | Terms ©2021 Copyright NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations 30 Rockefeller Plaza - New York, NY 10112