DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Champaign, Danville, Decatur and Urbana join 11 other cities in Illinois targeted by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The one thing they all have in common? Ordinances against panhandling — or at least its most aggressive forms. The ACLU sent letters to all 15 cities demanding they remove ordinances against panhandling.
"People have a right to hold a sign and ask for money," said Decatur councilman Pat McDaniel. "But if they block traffic or if they become very harassing of any citizens, then the citizens can contact the police department."
Decatur's policy is very similar to that of both Champaign and Urbana. All three also place limits on the distance someone can panhandle from an ATM or bank, ranging from 10 to 20 feet depending upon the city.
Champaign's ordinance goes further, banning panhandlers from approaching cars on the street.
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is joining the ACLU in its efforts to get these ordinances off the books.
The groups say they have already convinced 31 other cities to voluntarily repeal panhandling ordinances to protect free speech.
"Panhandling ordinances are a way to unfairly criminalize people who are homeless," said Diane O'Connell, a lawyer working for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. "It's really a human rights issue. Everyone has the right to ask for help."
But McDaniel is not worried for Decatur's ordinance. He's confident the current policy protects citizens and free speech.
"I'm comfortable with what our ordinance is," McDaniel said. "But [these threats from the ACLU], it's a PR stunt as far as I'm concerned."
