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Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protest planned outside Chicago alderwoman's office over Gompers Park homeless encampment removal
The Brief Community members are holding a rally outside Ald. Samantha Nugent's office, calling for an end to what they describe as the "criminalization of homelessness." A long-standing homeless encampment at Gompers Park in the 39th Ward was cleared during a recent cold snap. Rally organizers say last week's "accelerated moving event" lacked the safety measures promised by the city. CHICAGO - Community leaders are set to gather outside the office of 39th Ward Alderwoman Samantha Nugent on Tuesday to protest what they call the "criminalization of homelessness" following the removal of a homeless encampment at Gompers Park. What we know The encampment, which had been in place for an extended period, was taken down during a brutal cold snap last month. Rally organizers claim the city's actions put vulnerable individuals at greater risk during the extreme weather. They also allege that an "accelerated moving event" held last week lacked the promised safety precautions, further endangering those displaced from the encampment. The backstory The homeless encampment at Gompers Park had been a point of contention among community members for months. Neighbors expressed concerns about safety issues, including reports of drug use, fires, and off-leash dog attacks. The Gompers Park Athletic Association also faced potential disruptions to youth baseball games and practices due to the encampment. What they're saying The Restore Gompers Park Coalition released a statement criticizing the protest. "The Restore Gompers Park Coalition has worked tirelessly for months to push for an Accelerated Moving Event; we are glad that 100 percent of AME participants are moving forward with the housing process, per the press release issued by the Mayor's Press Office on March 7. We have heard from numerous local residents who are happy to hear about this win-win solution for everyone. However, many in the local community have expressed their disdain for this protest today. Protesting the alderman's office does not help the unhoused. Spewing extreme rhetoric is a distraction and an affront to the efforts underway to provide housing and wraparound services to those in Gompers Park. We denounce the continued attempts to create chaos and disruption by this vocal minority of individuals." What's next The rally is expected to draw advocates, residents, and possibly city officials. Organizers say they are calling for more compassionate and safety-focused approaches to handling homeless encampments in Chicago. The Source The information from this article was provided by rally organizers and FOX 32 Chicago.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago to remove Gompers Park homeless encampment as residents call for long-term solutions
The Brief Chicago plans to remove a homeless encampment on the Northwest Side by March 5, with officials emphasizing that the relocation will be handled with care. Residents have been pushing for an Accelerated Moving Event (AME) due to ongoing safety concerns, including fires, dog attacks, and drug paraphernalia. Community leaders want a commitment from the city to enforce park rules after the encampment is cleared to prevent future settlements. CHICAGO - The city of Chicago plans to remove a homeless encampment on the Northwest Side in two weeks, with the relocation scheduled for March 5. Rumors circulated Wednesday that city crews had already started taking down tents, but officials clarified that only litter and abandoned items were removed as part of a routine monthly cleanup. 39th Ward Alderwoman Samantha Nugent assured that occupied tents were left untouched. The backstory Residents have been calling for an Accelerated Moving Event (AME), a program that speeds up the process of placing unhoused individuals into shelters. Neighbors cite ongoing concerns, including fires, dog attacks, and drug paraphernalia found in the area. Members of the Gompers Park Athletic Association and the Restore Gompers Park Coalition urged city leaders to enforce park rules once the relocation takes place. They asked Mayor Brandon Johnson for a commitment to prevent future encampments from forming in the park. What they're saying Nugent's office has stressed that the relocation should be handled with care and sensitivity to the encampment members. "Once the unhoused accept the housing and help being offered to them via this AME, the residents expect the same, equitable enforcement of existing park ordinances just like you provided, Mayor Johnson, to Humboldt and Touhy parks after their AMEs. This is not about criminalizing homelessness, it is criminal to keep people in tents inside parks without any means to support basic human needs in 6 degree weather," said Nicole Foster, member of the Restore Gomphers Park Coalition. What's next The city remains on track to move forward with the March 5 relocation.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Delay of Gompers Park homeless encampment removal prompts little league to move games from park
CHICAGO (WGN) — With the removal of a homeless encampment delayed, Gompers Park Athletic Association (GPAA) is moving their baseball and softball league from the park due to a variety of safety concerns. 'It's just common sense to us. We had an unofficial vote last week or last month in January at this same establishment,' said Ryan Johnson, President of the GPAA. 'We all agreed unanimously that with the ongoing safety concerns, we can't comfortably bring children to the park.' Johnson and members of the GPAA board met at a North Side restaurant Thursday evening, where the body voted unanimously to move their baseball and softball league from Gompers Park, citing concerns about drug use and drug paraphernalia found near playing fields, dog attacks and multiple fires in the area. For at least the last 50 years, GPAA has called Gompers Park home, but now a league that has at least 600 boys and girls playing baseball and softball from ages five through 18 will be moved due to those safety concerns. The City of Chicago previously announced a clear out of the encampment later this month, but that has now been delayed to early March and has been rebranded as an accelerated moving event. 'As long as the accelerated moving event happens on March 5th, or any point before the season starts,' Johnson said. 'And we're comfortable that the tents are gone and we have reassurance that no one will be moving back in the area, we can quickly get the kid's games rescheduled back to that park, which is what everyone wants.' WGN Investigates: Chicago pushes back plans to clear out homeless encampment in Gompers Park JJ Betts, one of the board members of the GPAA, said it's not a political issue, but one purely based around protecting the kids who participate in the league. 'It's all about safety and the safety of the players and the families that participate in our league,' Betts said. 'As of now it's not safe at the park and our families have expressed concern. We're losing registration numbers because of it.' If the measure to move the league passes, GPAA said there are secured fields players will use once their baseball and softball season starts on April 21. 'Mayfair Park has a field that we use for younger kids that are primarily on little Gompers. And Eugene Field, which is about two minutes away,' Johnson said. Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) and residents around Gompers Park have sent letters to Mayor Brandon Johnson's office asking his administration to expedite the moving event, citing the same safety concerns listed above. The mayor's office has not returned WGN News' request for comment on this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
