Village publishes amendment to criminal code to address camping on public property; public comment period to follow

Village attorney Chapel presented a package of updates to Chapter 7, Article 4 of the municipal criminal code on Tuesday and asked trustees to authorize publication for public notice and comment.

Chapel said the updates remove outdated or constitutionally problematic language — such as vagrancy and archaic phrasing — and replace it with clearer, narrower provisions that allow enforcement where there is a demonstrable health or safety hazard. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court consideration of the Grants Pass, Oregon case as a guide for drafting enforceable rules about camping on public property.

The ordinance as presented defines terms such as "camping," "campsite," and "camping materials"; describes conditions (for example, blocking driveways or causing health hazards) under which camping on village property may be addressed; and authorizes the village to seek injunctive relief in district court for safety or health threats rather than relying solely on municipal criminal penalties.

Chapel also said the ordinance includes an explicit authorization for the village to cooperate with other jurisdictions and social‑service providers to offer alternatives and outreach for people occupying public property. "We put in a specific reference to the village cooperating in those kinds of circumstances," Chapel said.

Trustees approved publication for advertisement and public comment; Chapel and staff said trustees may suggest further refinements before final adoption and that significant changes after publication would require republishing for an additional comment period.

The action starts the public‑notice clock and gives residents and stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in before the board considers final passage at a subsequent meeting.