Take the Lexington off the table!!!

To the City of Elgin and Its Leadership:

We, the undersigned residents, parents, business owners, and community members, are writing to formally express our opposition to the proposal for the Lexington Inn to become a permanent site for serving the homeless.

While we recognize the importance of addressing homelessness with compassion and actionable solutions, we believe that designating the Lexington Inn as a permanent site presents significant challenges and risks to our community, particularly to the students and families of Elgin Math and Science Academy (EMSA), which is located directly across the street. Additionally, the Lexington Inn sits next to Trout Park, home to baseball fields, a playground, and one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in Illinois—the state’s only remaining forested fen, a unique and irreplaceable natural habitat.

Our Concerns Include:

Safety Risks: Increased traffic and potential safety issues near a school zone could pose risks to students, families, and staff. Additionally, the proximity to Trout Parks playgrounds, sports fields, and protected forested fen raises serious environmental and public safety concerns. Any disruption to this delicate natural site could have lasting ecological consequences.
Impact on Enrollment: The proposed use of the Lexington Inn as a permanent site may lead to concerns among parents, potentially affecting enrollment and the success of EMSA as a public charter school.

Limited Communication and Planning: Many community members feel that the city has not adequately communicated its plans or addressed how critical safety measures would be implemented and maintained.

Our Requests:
We ask that the City of Elgin consider the following actions:

Explore alternative locations including locations that were previously identified for providing services to the homeless that would not directly impact EMSA or other schools.

Engage in transparent communication with the community, including EMSA families, about future plans and involve them in decision-making processes.
Prioritize the implementation of safety measures near the Lexington property to protect the school and surrounding neighborhoods and areas.

By signing this petition, we are urging the City of Elgin to reject the proposal to make the Lexington Inn a permanent site for serving the homeless and instead explore alternative solutions that balance the needs of the homeless population with the safety and well-being of the community.