The wider picture
The city of Chicago has been grappling with the issue of tent encampments in its parks, particularly on the Northwest Side, for several years. As the homeless population in Chicago reached 7,452 according to a count released in July 2025, the city has faced increasing pressure to address the needs of those without stable housing. One notable encampment is located in Legion Park, where Carmen Laude has lived for nearly two years. This encampment, which consists of approximately 20 inhabitants, is now facing removal as the city plans to clear it on March 16, 2026.
Carmen Laude, who relies on a monthly Social Security income of $1,974, expressed her concerns about the removal. “All they do is, ‘OK, you’re moving from there to there.’ That’s not going to help — destroying all the things we accumulated for our needs,” she stated. Laude’s sentiments reflect a broader frustration among encampment residents who feel that their needs are not being adequately addressed.
The city has offered apartments for $950 a month to residents of the encampment, but many, including Laude, find this unaffordable given their limited income. The Department of Family and Support Services has committed to assisting residents in moving out, but the effectiveness of this support remains to be seen. Observers note that previous encampment removals, such as one last year in Gompers Park, led to the establishment of new encampments nearby, raising questions about the long-term solutions being implemented.
Recent events have heightened concerns about safety in the encampment. A fire last month destroyed about half of the tents, prompting Alderman Samantha Nugent to comment, “After multiple fires at the encampment, including the most recent one that destroyed several tents, it became clear the situation posed serious safety risks for both those living there and the surrounding neighborhood.” This incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to homelessness that prioritizes safety and stability.
Advocates for the homeless, including Mary Tarullo from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, argue that the city should focus on providing more housing rather than closing encampments. Tarullo stated, “Instead of expending any resources on closing encampments, we need more housing and, until we have housing for everyone, we cannot be closing off public spaces to people who don’t have it.” This perspective highlights the ongoing debate about how best to address homelessness in Chicago.
In response to the planned removal, a Northwest Side group called Parks for All has launched a petition against the encampment removal, reflecting the community’s divided opinions on the issue. Some residents support the removal for safety reasons, while others advocate for more humane solutions that address the root causes of homelessness.
As the date of the encampment removal approaches, city staffers will be present at Legion Park to assist residents in their transition. However, the effectiveness of these measures and the future of the encampment residents remain uncertain. The situation continues to evolve, and details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term housing solutions that will be made available to those displaced.
