This week, the Peoria City Council voted 6-5 to narrowly adopt an ordinance that would impose criminal fines – and even jail time – for unhoused people who camp outdoors in public spaces. The following is a statement reacting to the ordinance passage from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, the Peoria Chapter of the ACLU of Illinois and the ACLU of Illinois:
It is disappointing – and outright sad – to see that a slim majority of Peoria City Council members have embraced the myth that the complex issues of homelessness can be addressed through the criminal legal system. This approach will not work, and will only exacerbate the challenges faced by those who are unhoused in Peoria. The stiff fines and possible jail time will be punitive for those in Peoria who already struggle to survive financially. This ordinance does nothing to address the plight of the unhoused.
Perhaps the most unsettling reality is that Peoria City Council, while spending several weeks considering this measure, have not done anything serious about addressing the complex problem of homelessness. This should be a lesson to other communities around the state who think that punishment and fines are the answer to homelessness or other complex issues. The time for unserious, political approaches is over. Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, the Peoria Chapter of the ACLU of Illinois, and the ACLU of Illinois stand ready to roll up our sleeves with the community to do the hard work of addressing the crisis created by a lack of affordable housing and advance housing-first policies. Peoria has missed that opportunity.
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is now Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness (CCH).