On September 3, Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, sent a letter to Mayor James Tinaglia of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and all members of the village board regarding recent proposals and discussions relating to village policy addressing people experiencing homelessness.
The Clerics of St. Viator Province Center and Saint Viator High School are located in Arlington Heights, and the Viatorians value our place in this community and long-running relationships with neighbors, community partners, and village officials.
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Dear Mayor Tinaglia and Members of the Arlington Heights Village Board,
As a Catholic Institution that is regularly involved in serving the most vulnerable people in our community, we, the Viatorians, write today with both deep concern and firm conviction. Arlington Heights is considering an ordinance that would criminalize acts as simple as sitting, eating, or resting in public spaces. While we understand the challenges our community faces in addressing poverty and housing instability, we cannot remain silent when compassion risks being replaced with punishment. Responding to homelessness with handcuffs rather than help is a moral failure.
What these people need is shelter, healing, and opportunity — not a criminal record that exacerbates their already highly stigmatized situation. Policies that criminalize poverty turn our backs on that responsibility. They divide our community instead of strengthening it, and they shift the burden of homelessness onto law enforcement rather than addressing its causes.
We urge our city leaders and our fellow citizens to reject this ordinance and to choose another way — one rooted in dignity, solidarity, and justice. We offer instead to develop a task force that can respond and care for everyone involved when these situations arise in our community. Our community has the leadership, the experience, and the people who care and want to get involved and make a difference. We just need the board to give this group the space to work instead of distracting the police and courts with this problem.
To our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness: we see you; we honor your dignity; and we will continue to walk beside you. To our neighbors: we invite you to join us in prayer, advocacy, and action, so that together we may build a city that reflects love, not fear.
Very Rev. Mark R. Francis, CSV
Provincial Superior
Clerics of St. Viator, Province of Chicago