SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Civil rights advocates are trying to prepare Illinois cities with so-called nuisance laws about too many police calls for new exceptions protecting domestic abuse victims and disabled people.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law announced Monday they have sent letters to 42 communities pointing out that such ordinances must make those allowances under a state law taking effect Nov. 19.
City nuisance-property codes are aimed at reducing crime by allowing the eviction of tenants involved in too many police-related disturbances. The law eliminates the chance that domestic abuse victims or people disabled by mental illness could be left with no housing.
Several cities told The Associated Press they are reviewing their ordinances.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law last month.