Please help us stop Aurora’s “Tent City” inhabitants from being displaced. Sign and share this petition.  Reach out to the City of Aurora and BNSF.  Thank you!

BNSF and BNSF Police,

A Notice to Vacate was posted on August 5, 2020 at the BNSF property identified as Hurds Island - Aurora, Illinois. This notice stated the property must be vacated within 72 hours, however no time is listed on this notice.

This notice to vacate cites 625 ILCS 5/18c-7503. Within this same statute it states that exceptions can be made with written permission from BNSF and if occupancy of the area is to save human life.

We are calling on BNSF to grant temporary permission for occupancy. COVID-19 has caused social service agencies like Hesed House to adopt new safety measures to ensure the health and safety of their guests. These additional measures pose a real challenge for those also dealing with mental health issues. We are doing a disservice to these individuals, and discriminating against those with mental health challenges, by not recognizing the fact that while the safety measures in place at Hesed House will work for some, they are unrealistic and unfair to those incapable of complying with those standards due to their mental health barriers.

Displacing these individuals without any plan in place leaves them even more vulnerable than they already are. This is a serious threat to human life.

We urge Hesed House, the City of Aurora, and BNSF to work together in finding a solution for the individuals living on BNSF property.

Sincerely,
Ms. Pryor
Echo Development Center

218 E Benton
Aurora IL 60505
echo4change1@gmail.com