Arlington Heights board seeks options after residents, businesses report growing bench encampment near Minor and Northwest Highway

Residents and business owners told the Village Board of Arlington Heights on July 7 that a small encampment around a bench near 14 W. Minor and Northwest Highway has grown into a persistent, disruptive presence that they say is affecting safety, sanitation and access.

"She has committed no crimes and done nothing illegal to my knowledge," said Linda Weisey, a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, describing the woman who sits at the bench and who, she said, has accumulated more personal belongings over time. "There seems to be three issues here," Weisey added, citing noisy groups nearby, the amount of the woman's belongings and concern for her well‑being in extreme weather.

Jim Platania, who said he works at a family business on Northwest Highway, told the board: "We've seen more and more individuals congregate near the corner of Minor and NW Highway, leading to…