Arlington Heights board divided on public sleeping ban

Arlington Heights village board members disagree about potential rules that could restrict sleeping or camping on public property for an extended period of time.

At the heart of the debate are complaints from downtown condominium owners about a group of people loitering in front of their building. Those clash with concerns from advocacy groups that any local ordinance would be a step toward criminalizing homelessness.

While nothing is set in stone, the mayor and trustees debated potential restrictions that would prohibit anyone from staying on public property — such as park benches — during the overnight hours and for consecutive nights.

The board’s committee-of-the-whole discussion Monday was prompted by complaints from those who live in the high-rise building at Northwest Highway and Vail Avenue, where a sidewalk bench and the vicinity has become a popular gathering spot for a group of about five people in recent months.

Village Manager Randy Recklaus said police have issued some citations for public consumption of alcohol, but have not yet issued tickets for violations of a local noise ordinance. Only some of the individuals who have been congregating in the area are unhoused, he added.

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