The Illinois legislature is considering a measure that would create what's called a "Homeless Bill of Rights." It's intended to prohibit discrimination based on housing status when it comes to things like privacy and employment. But opponents say the proposed legislation could inundate cities with unnecessary lawsuits.
Brian Day is with the Illinois Municipal League. He says the organization's concerned it would create confusion for law enforcement:
“Say you're a police officer who sees a back-pack lying on the side-walk, can you look and see if it's something suspicious or have you violated the act?”
Advocates say more people than ever are affected by homelessness because of the recession.
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless says more than 40 thousand people a year are served by state-funded shelters in Illinois.