Homeless couple suing city of Chicago, say rights violated

CHICAGO (AP) - A homeless couple who had crews repeatedly remove their tents are suing the city of Chicago saying they are protected by Illinois state law.

The Chicago Tribune reports Amie Smith and Shawn Moore say in their Cook County lawsuit that the city violated the Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. The law guarantees homeless people access to public services, the right to "move freely" through public spaces and prohibits discrimination based on living situations.

Smith and Moore say crews repeatedly forced them to move and threw away personal possessions. They are seeking more than $75,000 in damages and want the city to bar crews from seizing or moving their belongings.

A Chicago Law Department spokesman says the city doesn't comment on pending litigation but the city is in compliance with the state's homeless law.

___

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com