Jacksonville moves toward no camping ordinance, Council seeks humane approach

City Council members on December 16 advanced drafting of a no camping ordinance that would allow officials to remove homeless encampments and impose penalties on people found sleeping in public. Council leaders said the measure is intended to promote public health and safety while encouraging people to use existing community resources rather than live outside.

Business owners at the meeting urged quick action, citing safety and sanitation concerns in the downtown commercial district. Antonia Alfano from Leo’s Pizza told the council, “Everybody else downtown has done so well, why do we got to end up making these people (businesses) move away because of their safety or customer safety or there’s defecation around downtown. It may seem like nothing now, but if we don’t do something now, it’s going to get worse.”

Alderman Joe Lockman framed the proposal as a protection for people sleeping outdoors. “Truly, it’s not a safe environment when you’re camping with no shelter,” he said. “I believe that the folks who are camping outside are subject to injury or personal attacks, and when you’re right out there in the open, people could take advantage of you.”

Councilors discussed enforcement tools that could include citations, a nominal fine suggested at twenty five dollars that could be waived later, and the option to arrest people who repeatedly violate the ordinance. Details about how and when encampments would be cleared after repeat violations were not finalized.

City Attorney Dan Beard said he believes the ordinance could align with guidance from the Illinois Department of Human Rights which emphasizes nondiscriminatory access to public spaces while addressing health and safety. Other voices warned of unintended consequences. Landlord Rob Thomas cautioned that fines and criminal records could create barriers for formerly homeless individuals trying to secure housing.

Jacksonville currently operates two shelters, a Salvation Army daytime low barrier shelter and a nighttime only shelter operated by New Directions that requires background checks. Councilors said they have been reviewing language from O'Fallon for guidance and plan to continue meetings into January and February to finalize the ordinance.

The proposal follows debates in other Illinois cities, where similar efforts have provoked concerns about criminalizing homelessness and the need to pair enforcement with robust housing and service options. Local residents will see effects in downtown public spaces, interactions with law enforcement, and in pressure on the county safety net as the council moves toward a final ordinance.