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Jacksonville Today
By the People, for the People
Jacksonville Passes Homeless No-Camping Ordinance
City promises to review ordinance, but doubts remain about quick amendments
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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The Jacksonville City Council voted 6-1 to pass a new ordinance that fines homeless individuals for sleeping outdoors, despite concerns from some council members and local advocates that the ordinance needs further review and revisions. The ordinance includes language that penalizes people for sleeping overnight in their vehicles on public property, which some aldermen had wanted removed. The council promised to revisit the ordinance in the future, but doubts remain about how quickly any amendments will be made.
Why it matters
This ordinance highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing the needs of the homeless population with public safety concerns. While proponents argue the ordinance provides an opportunity to connect homeless individuals with services, critics worry it criminalizes homelessness without addressing the root causes or providing adequate shelter options.
The details
The ordinance fines homeless individuals $25 for the first violation of sleeping outdoors, with the fine increasing by $25 for each subsequent violation in a calendar year. Violators can also face up to 6 months in jail. The ordinance allows the city to immediately remove campsites for sanitary reasons or safety concerns, and personal property must be stored for 30 days before disposal. Some council members had wanted to remove language penalizing people for sleeping in their vehicles, but that provision remained in the final ordinance.
- The City Council voted 6-1 to pass the ordinance on February 11, 2026.
- Police Chief Doug Thompson said the ordinance likely won't be enforced for 2-3 months to allow for an "education period."
The players
Jacksonville City Council
The governing body of the city of Jacksonville, Illinois that voted to pass the no-camping ordinance.
Alderman Brett Henry
A city council member who said he planned to vote for the ordinance on first reading, but wanted the language about overnight vehicle sleeping to be removed or lessened before the second reading.
Alderman Alison Rubin De Celis
A city council member and vice-chair of the Special Studies Committee, who incorrectly thought the overnight vehicle sleeping language had been removed from the ordinance.
Alderman Darcella Speed
The lone "no" vote on the city council, who unsuccessfully tried to table the ordinance citing the absence of two other council members.
Police Chief Doug Thompson
The Jacksonville Police Chief who said the department will take an "education period" of 2-3 months before enforcing the ordinance.
What they’re saying
“I just want to say I plan on voting yes for first reading, but for the second reading I'd like the committee to take a look at the overnight parking. Maybe removing it or lessening it in some way. That's what I would like to see.”
— Alderman Brett Henry (myjournalcourier.com)
“So, OK, so we have to revisit that. That's an important thing, but it kind of got drowned out by the overall move to vote or not vote, I think.”
— Alderman Alison Rubin De Celis, Vice-chair of the Special Studies Committee (myjournalcourier.com)
“I still think that it should be tabled. Our key decision makers, Eren (Williams) not being here any maybe Joe (Lockman) not being here, to weigh in their thoughts on it as well. Plus, there was an ask (during public comment) for us to at least just give two weeks and to see what they come back with, and I think that's fair.”
— Alderman Darcella Speed (myjournalcourier.com)
“Without that ordinance, if I approached someone that was camping and I asked them, 'Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?' They can tell my officers to pound sand or they're not going to talk to us, and there's absolutely nothing we can do because that's their legal right. Whereas if they're in violation of an ordinance, then that allows me the opportunity to get their name and talk to them and then document who I spoke with and that we did attempt to provide services to them.”
— Police Chief Doug Thompson (myjournalcourier.com)
“I'm OK with the fact that it's passed, we want to get something done versus nothing done. My concern lies in how quickly can we make the necessary adjustments with amendments to identify success measures, identify remediation on fees for individuals that are working on long-term housing solutions.”
— Salvation Army Capt. Justian Corliss (myjournalcourier.com)
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 ordinance highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing the needs of the homeless population with public safety concerns. While proponents argue the ordinance provides an opportunity to connect homeless individuals with services, critics worry it criminalizes homelessness without addressing the root causes or providing adequate shelter options. The city's promises to revisit and amend the ordinance quickly remain to be seen.
