CHICAGO — More than 450 Mayfair residents are demanding the City of Chicago address the sizeable homeless encampment at Gompers Park.
The ‘Restore Gompers Park Coalition’ has counted 27 tents at the historic park at Foster and Pulaski on the city’s Northwest Side. Residents said the encampment continues to grow, prompting concerns growing about health and safety.
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The coalition petitioned Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office on Tuesday, asking him to approve an accelerated moving event and enforce city regulations prohibiting camping in public parks. Petitioners also suggest that those in the encampment be provided housing and additional resources before the arrival of harsh winter weather.
“We are really concerned with the individuals in those tent encampments, especially with the winter season coming. They need to get housing. They need to get shelter. They also are living in squaller, as well as unsanitary conditions,” said Gail Beitz, a Restore Gompers Park Coalition spokesperson.
Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th Ward) and her officer will host a community meeting later this month to address the encampment issues.
WGN Investigates is working on a story about how unhoused people use Gompers Park and others as shelters. Wednesday night on the WGN Evening News at 9 p.m., WGNI sits down with the city’s first chief homelessness officer, Sendy Soto, to discuss the latest developments and the city’s immediate course of action.