Mount Vernon council bans unauthorized camping and approves more liquor licenses

The Mount Vernon City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-30, a second-reading ordinance prohibiting unauthorized camping on city-owned public property, at its Sept. 3 meeting.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel said the draft ordinance follows a model recommended by the Illinois Municipal League and sets formal rules for managing unauthorized camping in public spaces. Council Member Ray Botch moved for approval; the motion carried with five yea votes (Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young and Mayor John Lewis). The council recorded no nay votes or abstentions.

In the same session the council considered an ordinance to increase the number of local liquor licenses. Bechtel said the ordinance would add two hotel licenses and four restaurant-with-lounge licenses to align the city's code with anticipated development, including completion of South 44th Street. Council Member Donte Moore moved to suspend the rules and take immediate action; Joe Gliosci seconded the suspension. The council then voted to approve Ordinance No. 2024-31 to increase available licenses, with the same unanimous tally.

The ordinances were presented as administrative tools rather than policy shifts: the camping ordinance is intended to provide the city with legal mechanisms to address unauthorized camping on public property, while the liquor license change is aimed at permitting hospitality growth. The council did not record extended debate or amendments during the meeting.

The council did not announce additional implementation dates for either ordinance at the meeting; the camping ordinance passed on second reading and the liquor-license ordinance was approved following suspension of normal procedural rules.