Johnson denies recent removal of South Loop homeless encampment was tied to upcoming DNC

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Brandon Johnson says the decision to move people out of a homeless encampment near the Dan Ryan Expressway has nothing to do with next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Johnson told reporters Wednesday  the decision to clear the camp near Roosevelt Road and offer the people there temporary housing was part of his administration's commitment to help the unhoused and eventually transition as many of them as possible into permanent homes.

The mayor denies the move was made to keep homeless people out of sight during the Democratic National Convention.

“This has nothing to do with the DNC,” Johnson stressed. “You’ve known me for some time. I’ve been telling you that, 75,000 unhoused people in the City of Chicago, I don’t need a convention to lead, and I surely did not need the convention to become the mayor of the City of Chicago.”

Advocates for the unhoused say the encampment should remain open because there is not enough affordable housing in the city, and the shelter system in Chicago has been over capacity.

The mayor said has a commitment to help the unhoused.

“This is not a new practice, first of all,” said Johnson. “We have been far more adamant about making sure the unhoused have real dignity, so this was not a response to the DNC.”

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