U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (D-4th) held his first Burbank town hall Aug. 26 at City Hall, drawing a near-capacity crowd for a wide-ranging discussion on immigration, infrastructure, education and health care.
Burbank Mayor David Gilgenberg welcomed the congressman and thanked him for helping secure federal funding to resurface 79th Street. “That was my only request,” Gilgenberg said.
Questions, submitted in writing and read by Garcia’s chief of staff, touched on flooding, veterans’ health care, schools and housing. The crowd listened respectfully, with occasional applause and a few dissenting comments.
“When leaders at every level work together, we can deliver real results. I am proud to fight for working families,” Garcia said.
He criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for “scapegoating immigrants” and said the push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago was “meant to intimidate, silence and control people.” Some residents disagreed, including Chicago police officer and Vietnam veteran Charlie Johnson, who said Guard troops could help free up police resources.
A Burbank woman who declined to give her name jokingly said she thought she might be arrested because she was opposed to some of the congressman’s views. But she went away reasonably happy with what she heard.
Garcia also voiced opposition to cuts at the Department of Education, FEMA and HUD. He said FEMA remains critical for disaster response and pledged to push for more infrastructure funding.
“One of my priorities for next year is passage of the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act,” Garcia said, citing the need for more money to prevent flooding and repair “crumbling infrastructure.”
“We cannot take such a draconian action of getting rid of FEMA—many states cannot handle (disasters) alone. FEMA is needed. If you have a flooding problem, let us know. We can advocate for you,” Garcia told the audience.
He and Gilgenberg both touched on the flooding problems Burbank has had in the past, which were alleviated somewhat by the expansion of the Melvina Ditch reservoir. But the mayor said that during recent heavy rains, it was the local sewer pipes that were overwhelmed by 4-6 inches of water coming down per hour.
“This time, the reservoir did not overwhelm but the sewers could not keep up with the 4-6 inches an hour. What is needed is big federal dollars to improve our sewer systems, “ he said.
The congressman highlighted $17 billion in federal infrastructure improvements already earmarked for Illinois, including Midway Airport, which is now in his district. He also called for more affordable housing near transit, stronger support for veterans’ health care and expanded coverage for dental, hearing and vision services.
On education, Garcia said public schools and libraries must be defended against budget cuts and censorship.
The ongoing war in Gaza did not come up during the town hall, but afterward Garcia told reporters he supports a cease-fire. “It is a genocide,” he said, describing Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
