Chicago Encampment Closures Deemed 'Unconscionable'

Unhoused residents say evictions perpetuate homelessness, not solve it

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:47pm

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This story examines the city of Chicago's approach to closing homeless encampments, which housing advocates and unhoused residents say is harmful and counterproductive. Despite the mayor's stated commitment to treating homelessness with compassion, the city continues to evict encampment residents, often with little notice and without providing adequate alternative housing options. Outreach workers and unhoused individuals describe the closures as traumatic events that disrupt communities and make it harder for people to access vital resources and support.

Why it matters

Chicago's encampment closures are emblematic of a broader issue facing cities across the country - the criminalization of homelessness and the failure to prioritize long-term, housing-first solutions. These evictions occur even as the city faces the threat of federal funding cuts that could push thousands more Chicagoans into homelessness, underscoring the need for a more humane and effective approach.

The details

During encampment closures, unhoused residents often lose their belongings, relationships, and makeshift homes. The city evicts people even in freezing temperatures, regardless of whether they have a safe, permanent place to go. Outreach workers say the closures are triggered by a mix of community complaints, safety concerns, and political pressure, rather than the actual needs of the encampment residents. After an eviction, the city often fences off the land, making it inaccessible to both the housed and unhoused.

  • In May, a nearby shooting left one person dead and two others injured, leading to the closure of the encampment under the Chicago Avenue and Albany Avenue viaduct within a week.
  • On December 6, 2024, the Reader observed an encampment closure when temperatures dropped to 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

The players

Jay

A middle-aged unhoused Chicagoan who lives in an encampment under the Sacramento Avenue viaduct.

John

A middle-aged unhoused Chicagoan who lives in an encampment under the Sacramento Avenue viaduct with Jay.

Ali Simmons

The senior case and street outreach worker at the Law Project at Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness.

Ryan Spangler

The street outreach supervisor with social service nonprofit Heartland Alliance Health.

Sendy Soto

The chief homelessness officer for the city of Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“If one person on a block is making a ruckus, [authorities] don't come in and force the whole block to move. So, why is it any different for somebody experiencing homelessness? [The city] collectively blamed everybody and displaced the whole encampment.”

— Ali Simmons, senior case and street outreach worker (Chicago Reader)

“It's a privilege and a blessing to have people that are experiencing homelessness out in the open, where we can serve them, where we can find them.”

— Ryan Spangler, street outreach supervisor (Chicago Reader)

“If they move us, we don't know where to go.”

— Mama (Block Club Chicago)

“We don't deserve to be forgotten. We're not bad people.”

— Melissa (Chicago Sun-Times)

“That's your home. Obviously, you're there because you got nowhere else to go.”

— John (Chicago Reader)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.