Homeless Chicagoans living on the streets, in parks and beneath bridges and viaducts could be forced to fend for themselves overnight, thanks to a $2.4 million state funding cut that’s triggering 24 layoffs.
All but a handful of the employees targeted for layoffs, beginning Sept.1, work the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift for the city’s Department of Family and Support Services.
They pick up homeless residents and transport them to overnight shelters. If they see somebody living on the street — oftentimes suffering from alcohol, substance abuse and mental health problems — they get out of the van, attempt to talk them into going to a shelter and take them there.
Now, the overnight shift is being eliminated as Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration struggles to absorb a 49 percent cut in state funding for homeless programs in the new fiscal year that began July 1.
More Layoffs
Our own opinion was, and remains, if someone wants to sleep on the streets, let 'em:
Now let's get them out of our lobbies along with the disease, smell and bugs they bring along.