Springfield mayor, Alderwoman Purchase requesting public camping ordinance be withdrawn

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher and Alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase are requesting that an ordinance banning public camping be withdrawn from committee consideration.

Buscher and Purchase were the sponsors of the ordinance.

The Springfield City council voted on September 3 to remove a new amendment that would ban public camping from emergency passage.

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

"We understand and respect the concerns raised by local advocacy groups, stakeholders, and members of our community regarding Ordinance 2024-376," said Mayor Buscher and Alderwoman Purchase said in a statement. "In light of these concerns, we, as sponsors of the ordinance, have decided to request that the ordinance be withdrawn from committee consideration."

Public comment at the September 3 meeting revealed that many citizens felt the ordinance would criminalize homelessness.

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