SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Springfield City council voted to remove a new amendment that would ban public camping from emergency passage Tuesday night. 

This coming after overwhelmingly negative public reception. Since it has been removed, Aldermen can continue to debate changes to be made to the ordinance.

"We heard you and your concerns," said Mayor Misty Buscher, " and no one in this room was trying to criminalize homelessness." Buscher said that after a group of homeless people were recently hurt in a crash and a homeless person died due to overdose, police asked for emergency passage of rule to outlaw public camping in the city. 

Ward 6 Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano was one council member who was vehemently against the ordinance in its current form. She said it would need to be altered to fit the community's needs. "Every week, we hear how our police are understaffed and stretched thin. It is a dangerous idea to add the duties of social worker and attorney to their job description." 

Public comment revealed that many citizens felt the same way: that this new ordinance would criminalize homelessness.

One community member, Joshua Leingang, had experienced homelessness, and said that the rule would ultimately backfire. "This is not motivation to get off the streets, this is a condemnation to stay on the streets."

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