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Morton becomes latest Central Illinois community to crack down on homeless encampments

Morton Village Hall
Steve Stein
/
WCBU
Morton Village Hall

Outdoor camping on public property is now banned in Morton after the village board unanimously passed a new ordinance this week largely aimed at homeless encampments.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned a lower court ruling that barred Grants Pass, Ore. from banning sleeping outdoors in public places. That opened the door for communities to crack down on encampments in a way that wasn't previously possible.

The Illinois Municipal League crafted a model ordinance that many communities are now taking up in some form or another.

"With the increasing number of unhoused individuals, this is becoming more of a problem for municipal regulation," said village attorney Pat McGrath at Monday's village board meeting. "We've had some minor issues along those lines earlier this year or late last year."

The village will fine people $75 for the first ordinance violation within a two-year period. Those fines ramp up with each subsequent violation. Jail time is possible if the ordinance is broken by someone more than six times within a two-year period.

Morton's ordinance would require a 24 hours' notice before police remove an encampment. But police chief Shawn Darche said the ordinance isn't just about removal.

"There are some things built into that ordinance as far as police responsibilites, trying to help the unhoused get services and things like that. So I think there's some good parts of that ordinance that will help," he said.

Pekin has also passed an ordinance, and one is expected to come before the Peoria City Council soon.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.