Chicago’s Largest Homeless Camp Being Cleared over Democratic National Convention Security Concerns
Chicago is preparing to clear out a homeless camp ahead of the Democratic Party’s national convention in August. The largest camp in the city, housing 22 people, has agreed to move to a shelter by the July 17 deadline. Security concerns for the upcoming event are cited as the reason for clearing out the camp, with federal authorities possibly requiring it. Read more… The city of Chicago is facing criticism for its decision to clear out a homeless camp ahead of the Democratic Party’s national convention in August. The camp, located under a viaduct near the convention center, has been home to 22 individuals who have been living there for several months.
City officials have stated that the camp must be cleared out by July 17, in order to address security concerns for the upcoming event. They have also mentioned the possibility of federal authorities requiring the removal of the camp.
Advocates for the homeless population have expressed concern about the city’s actions, arguing that the individuals living in the camp have nowhere else to go. They are calling on the city to provide alternative housing options for the camp residents, rather than simply forcing them to move to a shelter.
Some have also criticized the timing of the camp clearance, as it coincides with the national convention and could be seen as an effort to hide Chicago’s homelessness issue from the public eye.
the situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by homeless individuals in the city, and the need for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to addressing homelessness in Chicago.
By Harold Hutchison July 11, 2024 at 10:17am
Chicago is preparing to clear out a homeless camp prior to the Democratic Party’s national convention in August, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Almost all of the 22 people who live in the camp, which is the largest in the city, agreed to move to a shelter ahead of the July 17 deadline, according to the Sun-Times.
One local official cited security concerns ahead of the event as the reason for clearing out the camp, claiming that it may be required by federal authorities.
“We do know that Homeland Security could come and ask, and that thoroughfare along Roosevelt Road is a place that we anticipate individuals who are staying at McCormick Place will be traveling to the United Center … my plan is to make sure that we are thoughtful, that we are doing it in a trauma-informed way and that it’s not disruptive,” Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Brandie Knazze said, according to the Sun-Times.
Democrats are coming to town soon, so Chicago finally sees it as appropriate to do something about homelessness. pic.twitter.com/T1mnemoSiw
— James Lynch (@jameslynch32) July 11, 2024
The city’s homeless population has tripled since 2023, growing from 6,139 to 18,836, the Sun-Times reported.
Some of the homeless who resided in the tent city were skeptical of the city’s efforts to provide assistance for permanent housing.
“They just want us to get out of here,” one 57-year-old told the Sun-Times.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” a former truck driver named Chris said, according to the Sun-Times
The Supreme Court ruled in June that an Oregon city’s ban on camping on public property does not violate the Eighth Amendment.
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