There is an 8 acre stretch of land along railroad tracks and the west bank of the Fox River starting near State Street and Kimball Street in Elgin. This area is a well-known homeless encampment named “Tent City” due to the number of tents and structures that many people live in. This community is believed to have existed in this area for about 20-30 years. Unfortunately, there have been three fires recently, putting many people in danger. All three fires have been found to be caused accidentally by heating units, homemade or propane-fueled, placed too close to flammable materials.
These fires have caused city leaders concern, prompting the city of Elgin to undertake a plan to accommodate “Tent City” residents at the Lexington Inn & Suites for four months. Elgin has received a $400,000 grant from the Kane County Health Department, which makes this possible.
The plan also includes the permanent closure of “Tent City”. The city of Elgin will clear out the area and put up fencing around it, preventing anyone from returning after February 15, 2025. The City of Elgin has hired a company called ATI Restoration to clean up the area for an amount not to exceed $2.5 million. The clean-up includes the disposal of trash, any biohazardous materials, and the structures on the property. This clean-up is estimated to take two months.
At the City Council meeting on January 8, 2025, Chief of Police Ana Lalley reported that the police department along with community advocates, including multiple of the council members present, spent time on January 7 and 8 walking the area and meeting with “Tent City” residents. They found there to be approximately 40 unique structures on the property. They visited with the residents to collect surveys on interest in moving to the hotel space. “I want to say thank you to Greg and Angela for setting that up. We were able to meet people firsthand who were impacted and affected, and to answer questions to make sure they have the right information,” Chief Lalley on meeting with “Tent City” residents. They also distributed information regarding the hotel stays and what items they would be able to bring with them to the hotel.
The city worked with social service organizations in the area on January 21 and 22 – the final number being rehoused was 41 residents who occupy 39 rooms at the Lexington Inn and Suites. Assistance was given to the residents to collect their belongings and transportation was provided. There was a check-in and intake process by Ecker Center and Community Crisis Center staff.
Throughout Elgin’s efforts, they have faced opposition. First, from community members who thought that displacing the residents of “Tent City” was wrong and that Elgin is wasting resources on clearing these residents, instead of aiding them. Currently, the city is facing opposition from multiple parents whose students attend Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School, the school that is across the street from the hotel, in which the homeless residents are going to live in. These parents are worried for their children’s safety with fear that some of the homeless occupants have drug or alcohol problems, leading the environment around their children’s school to be unsafe. These parents have asked for a resource officer or frequent police patrols at and around the school to ensure the safety of their kids. The school and city responded by adding cameras around the school and agreeing to regular police patrols.
Along with police, community partners are connecting the homeless with resources like access to shelter, healthcare, and other case management services. The city hopes to get additional grant funding to address the homeless issue in Elgin. The city also offers an Elgin Human Services brochure for people who are struggling with a variety of resources including groceries, health services, shelters, crisis lines, etc.
