Oak Lawn, IL Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping ban hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Shelter-availability exception
- waived within 10 miles, none open
- Max fine
- $500
- Max jail term
- 30 days
- Property handling
- officer preserves belongings on arrest
Summary
Oak Lawn bars camping on public property from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., but officers must not enforce the ban when no shelter bed is available within 10 miles.
It shall be unlawful for any person to camp in any public place in the village of Oak Lawn during the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. to six o'clock (6:00) A.M. of any day, unless otherwise specifically authorized under this code. Camping includes the use of camp facilities. Law enforcement officers shall not enforce this section when the individual is on public property and there is no available overnight shelter in the village of Oak Lawn and within ten (10) miles of village boundaries. The term "available overnight shelter" is a public or private shelter, with an available overnight space, open to an individual or family unit experiencing homelessness. If the individual cannot utilize the overnight shelter space due to voluntary actions such as intoxication, drug use, unruly behavior, or violation of shelter rules, the overnight shelter space shall still be considered available.
C. Personal Property: In the event a person is arrested under this section, the arresting officer shall use best efforts to identify and preserve the personal property of the person.
D. Penalty: Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punishable by fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or a term of imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days or both a fine and term of imprisonment. (Ord. 16-15-53) **** ARTICLE B. DRIVEWAYS **** SECTION: 9-1B-1: Permit Required, Fee 9-1B-2: Application for Permit 9-1B-3: Bond or Insurance Required
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code § 9-1A-14 makes it unlawful to camp, pitch tents, tarps, cardboard shelters, sleeping bags or cooking gear, on any public street, alley, right of way, parking lot, greenbelt, sidewalk or curb between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Enforcement is suspended when no public or private overnight shelter space is available in the Village or within 10 miles of its boundaries, tracking the Martin v. Boise shelter-availability standard. An arresting officer must use best efforts to identify and preserve the arrestee's personal property.
Violations & Fines
Up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both; enforcement is barred entirely when no shelter bed exists within 10 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Oak Lawn police clear an encampment any time of day?
Does the ban apply if the shelters are full?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois homelessness & encampment rules overview
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Encampment Sanitation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle encampment sanitation.