CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a crucial moment for the community, the Champaign City Council faced passionate input from advocates for the homeless as they deliberated on a public camping ordinance. The council convened on Tuesday night and engaged in a lengthy four-hour session, dedicated to listening to the voices of their constituents before reaching a unanimous decision to reject the proposed ordinance.

Melissa Courtwright, the Executive Director of CU at Home, recounted how she and her colleagues learned of the impending vote only on the day of the meeting. Acting swiftly, she coordinated with other service providers to strategize their approach to the council, emphasizing the need for a united front in supporting those without stable housing.

Courtwright expressed the coalition’s goals, stating, “We really wanted to make sure that we were part of a collaborative effort to ensure that people experiencing homelessness had access to resources and places to go if this ordinance were to pass.” Her statement underscored the importance of community support and proactive measures in addressing homelessness.