Joliet Homeless Man Gets Green Light to Panhandle

A homeless man triumphed in his quest to continue panhandling despite alleged harassment by police and a law his attorney claims is unconstitutional.

A lawyer for the City of Joliet and the attorney for homeless Brian Davidson agreed the city will “cease enforcement of its panhandling ordinance,” according to a federal court filing.

“The court understands this to mean that (Joliet police officers) will not harass (Davidson) for alleged violations of the ordinance,” the filing said.

Davidson’s attorney, John Schrock of Joliet, filed for a restraining order against the city last month. Schrock accused the city of violating Davidson’s constitutional right to panhandle and of harassing him.

Davidson has said police officers destroyed his tent, threw his personal belongings in a dumpster and—on a freezing January night—drove him all the way out to Channahon and dumped him off there, leaving him to figure out how he was going to make it back to Joliet alive.

While Davidson can now panhandle in peace, Schrock said he is still going after the city for allowing its police to allegedly wreck Davidson’s tent, throw away his stuff and leave him in Channahon.

“Judge (Rebecca R.) Pallmeyer has indicated that she expects that the City of Joliet police officers will not be harassing Mr. Davidson for panhandling,” Schrock said. “Mr. Davidson went to court with me and was pleased with the result and advised that he will be back to his usual and normal panhandling in the City of Joliet.”

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