The residents of this encampment, under the Metra tracks where Fulton meets Milwaukee Avenue, think they have something special. All of their shelters are uniform, insulated, and equipped with battery powered lanterns.
They were paid for not by the City, but by businessman Andy Robledo who says each one cost him more than $400. “I thought people deserve better than this,” he said.
“I could build it back better and give them something that holds heat and gives them some dignity,” Robledo said. But now Robledo worries that the residents of this encampment may lose their shelters after notices went up on the walls of the viaduct about a street cleaning program scheduled for Nov. 3.Along with the notices, many of the tents also were tagged with red notices warning them that their homes could be removed.They cite a city ordinance that prohibits storing personal property within public way. One resident said there were fears of notices from the city being placed on the tents.