Homeless rally meshes with Hubble auction

Tom Cherrington knows his plan for a homeless community at the old Hubble Middle School site in Wheaton is a longshot. But that does not mean he's going to stop pushing for it.

On Thursday, the same day Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 is scheduled to open bids on the site, Cherrington plans to hold a rally there for the homeless. It's set to begin at 7 p.m. at Main Street and Roosevelt Road. Cherrington said the event's timing was no accident.

“Of course it is symbolic,” he said. “That was my intention — and to be peaceful and loving.”

School officials placed the 22-acre site up for auction Feb. 16 with a minimum bid of $10 million. At 2 p.m. Thursday, they will officially end the closed-bid auction.

Thus far, 26 bid packets have been pulled, but officials say they don't expect any official bids to arrive until a few days before the end date.

When Cherrington introduced his plan last month, he said he hoped the school district received no bids because it could open up a chance at a partnership. His plan would create a multihome development at the site as well as an intake and counseling center to help those in need.

Last month, Cherrington created the Better Angels of Our Nature Foundation, a group he said is made up of people of several denominations and backgrounds. Cherrington plans to deliver a speech at the rally.

But school officials say that as of Friday evening, Cherrington had yet to apply for use of the facility. They said they would consider his application just as they consider applications from other community groups and organizations.

As part of the application, Cherrington must meet certain conditions laid out in the forms available on the district's website, such as fees and insurance requirements.

Cherrington says if he cannot submit the application in time, he will hold the rally on public lands surrounding Hubble.

Since he introduced his idea, he said he has been on a tour of churches, mosques and homeless facilities throughout the county.

“I have gotten some overwhelming response,” he said. “Every time I ask for help, they do.”

One school board member says Cherrington's vision is an inspired one, but that the school district long ago promised to place the site back on the tax rolls.

“We appreciate the sentiment and the laudable intention, but we promised taxpayers that we would sell,” Rosemary Swanson said. “Clearly, our community has had a history of trying to help with the homeless. ... But we are moving forward with the process and keeping the promises we have made.”

Community members from throughout the area have told Cherrington they would attend the rally, and he said he expects a pretty sizable turnout. One of the rally's main goals is to raise awareness.

Cherrington acknowledged the difficulty his ultimate plan faces.

“I understand it will be more symbolic than anything,” he said. “But symbolism can be a very potent message.”

“I have no choice but to be an optimist,” he said.

“I have to see the good in people because I know what the other side is, but there is nothing there for me. This whole generational thing of power over welfare, can we do something about it?”