Civil rights advocates are trying to prepare Illinois cities with so-called nuisance laws about too many police calls for new exceptions protecting domestic abuse victims and the disabled. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law say they have sent letters to 42 communities pointing out that such ordinances must make those allowances under a state law taking effect Nov. 19. City nuisance-property codes are aimed at reducing crime by allowing the eviction of tenants involved in too many police-related disturbances. The two advocacy groups have targeted enforcement of ordinances that can put a domestic-abuse victim or someone disabled by mental illness out with no housing. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law last month requiring exceptions in such instances.
Cities told of victim exception in nuisance law
