Elgin relocates Tent City residents to hotel as cleanup nears completion; council approves overnight private security

Elgin City Council received an update April 9 on the city’s response to the long‑standing Tent City encampment along the Fox River, including progress by contractor ATI Restoration on site cleanup and the ongoing rehousing of encampment residents at the Lexington Inn & Suites.

The update, delivered by City Manager Kozel, said the city relocated residents to a 50‑room block at the Lexington Inn & Suites after a series of fires in December prompted an immediate intervention. “I owe a debt of gratitude to city staff,” Kozel said, listing case managers, police staff and volunteers who assisted with the move and intake. City staff said crews removed about 233 tons of debris, cut and shredded trees identified for removal, and expect permanent chain‑link fence posts to be installed by April 21, weather permitting.

The relocation and cleanup follow two council actions in December and January: approval of a room block at the Lexington Inn & Suites (50 rooms at a rate the presentation listed as $65 per day) and a contract with ATI Restoration for comprehensive cleanup work capped at $2,500,000. Kozel said current estimates put the final cleanup cost closer to $2,000,000 than the capped amount approved by council.

Why it matters: city officials…