By Carrie Shepard
Scott Olson/Getty Images
State officials are reminding local governments that removing unhoused people from parks could be a violation of their human rights.
Driving the news: The Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness sent a letter last week to municipalities, emphasizing that all individuals — including those seeking shelter — must have non-discriminatory access to public spaces under the state’s Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act.
Why it matters: The Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness (CCH) estimates that more than 75,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness. Many shelter in parks and congregate in public places like the CTA and libraries.
