In July, 2026, the Normal Town Council adopted an ordinance that targets those who are unhoused if they are in public spaces, especially Uptown Station – the transportation center in Uptown Normal. The ordinance, which was introduced and adopted in a rushed fashion, punishes those who are homeless when they ask for help or carry their belongings into Uptown Station. As a community, Normal should look for solutions, not rely on punishment. Call on Normal leaders to hit pause on this punitive measure and look for real solutions to ensure that Uptown Normal is safe and welcoming for all people.
Steps you can take:
- Send a message to the Normal Town Council. Or talk to your elected officials directly.
- Contact our Central Illinois Chapter about ways to get involved.
- Attend an upcoming Town Council meeting and ask to speak during the public comment section of the meeting. You can find resources here to prepare your own remarks, you can stand in solidarity with those who do, make signs, or otherwise showing your support in a peaceful and respectful way.
- Write an op-ed or letter to the editor in your local paper urging Normal Town Council to take a different approach to this issue.
- Activate others to take action along with you.
If you do want to contact local elected officials or attend a Normal Town Council meeting or talk with local officials about the how to address those who are homeless at Uptown Station, you may want to use these talking points to assist with that conversation:
- Everyone has a right to ask for help. Our Constitution does not permit punishing people when they ask for help.
- No one should have their belongings taken because they have nowhere else to put them, or be restricted from being in a public place because they have nowhere else to go.
- Imposing fines, fees, and other punishments only exacerbates the financial insecurity of those experiencing houselessness. It does not address the underlying issues.
- This policy will disproportionately impact people of color and those with disabilities.
- As a community, Normal needs real solutions to houselessness in our neighborhoods, including Uptown Normal. Punishment and other punitive actions do not create those solutions.
