By WMBD TV
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The Normal Town Council voted 4-3 to move forward on a proposal that some opponents say unfairly targets homeless people for being homeless.
The council considered expanding a current code of conduct in Uptown Station and applying that rule to areas surrounding the Amtrak and freight rail hotspot. Those areas include the parking deck, the bus hub and the surrounding sidewalks.
This would allow police officers and contracted third-party groups like Heartland Parking to give a verbal warning on over 30 different types of prohibited behavior, including:
- Camping-type activities and sleeping
- Excessive amounts of personal property
- Smoking and vaping
- Play loud music
- Blocking of access points
- Spit, defecate or urinate
If any of these cases were “egregious” according to the agenda report, police could ban people from the areas around the station for a set amount of time. Anyone who believed they were unfairly banned could appeal the decision to the city manager.
Opponents to this proposal were quick to point out this unfairly targets the unhoused population, who can be found frequently outside the station’s doors.
Those opponents include Liam Wheeler. He currently works at the McLean County Center for Human Services, but he said he experienced homelessness.
“When we are told we are no longer welcome in public spaces under any ordinance, it makes us feel like criminals,” he said.
Both the Central Illinois Chapter of ACLU and the Salvation Army asked for the proposal to be put on pause. They said they wanted more time to work out the issues they believe stand with the current measure.
The town’s argument is that the homeless keeping their personal belongings around the station have increased since the Amtrak stop opened.
Their goal is to protect the “public health and safety” of the residents who use the building that serves as a train stop, a parking deck and one of Connect Transit’s largest bus stops.
Council Member Karyn Smith said there have been misconceptions posted online about this measure. She said it doesn’t unfairly target the homeless.
“My understanding is that this addresses behaviors, not situations,” she said.
Mayor Chris Koos was the tie-breaking vote on this measure. He said they can go back to this ordinance at a later date and make changes if necessary.
There were exceptions doled out in this measure. In extreme heat or in freezing temperatures, Uptown Station is used as a refuge from the extreme weather. So, exemptions would be made under those circumstances.
WMBD TV First reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
