An Illinois bill aiming to prevent fines or criminal charges against homeless individuals using public property for life-sustaining activities is facing strong opposition from law enforcement groups. House Bill 1429, backed by advocacy organizations like the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness and Housing Action Illinois, recently advanced out of the Illinois House Housing Committee.
State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, a law enforcement officer, warned that the bill could lead to Illinois adopting policies similar to California’s, where large homeless encampments have taken over public spaces. “You’re going to see people doing what you see and hear about in different parts of California, where people are defecating in the streets,” Cabello said. “There’s going to be homeless camps all over the place, and the police won’t be able to do anything about it.”
Cabello and the Illinois Sheriffs Association argue that the bill’s language regarding “life-sustaining activities” is too broad, potentially allowing individuals to bathe or relieve themselves in public without consequences. The Illinois Municipal League and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have also expressed opposition, citing public health and safety concerns.
Cabello raised additional concerns about whether the bill applies to private property, suggesting that property owners might take matters into their own hands if law enforcement is unable to act. “If somebody comes on my property and wants to live, I’m not calling the police. I’ll take care of it myself,” he stated, arguing that taxpayers should not be forced to tolerate widespread encampments.
Proponents of the bill argue that criminalizing homelessness makes it more difficult for individuals to secure housing and employment. “Ticketing or arresting people for experiencing homelessness only worsens their situation,” the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness stated on social media.
Illinois has already allocated significant taxpayer resources toward homelessness programs. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration launched the Home Illinois initiative in 2024, dedicating $118 million to homeless support services. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed 2025 budget includes $195.6 million for homeless services, a 21% increase from the previous year’s $161 million. In 2021, Illinois received over $1 billion in Federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds for housing support.
Cabello emphasized that many homeless individuals struggle with mental illness and require institutional care rather than unrestricted access to public spaces. “We need more mental health facilities to take care of the folks that can’t take care of themselves,” he said, arguing that addressing homelessness requires more than policy changes that remove law enforcement from the equation.
