Posted on 12/22/2003 7:31:18 AM PST by Pikamax
Saturday, December 20, 2003 4:16PM EST
Chicago panhandlers get $99,000 settlement
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO (AP) - A federal judge has approved a $99,000 settlement for people who have been arrested or ticketed for panhandling in Chicago. The city also must pay $375,000 to cover attorneys' fees and the cost of distributing the money, said plaintiffs' lawyer Mark Weinberg, who filed suit over the matter in 2001. Judge Nan R. Nolan approved the settlement Friday. Under its terms, those arrested for panhandling in the past four years can file a claim of $400, while those ticketed can receive $50.
A tentative settlement was reached in October, as part of a battle over a 1991 ordinance that classified panhandling as disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.
The ordinance was repealed last year. City officials have said such a blanket ban on panhandling is considered a limit on commercial speech.
Because of a two-year statute of limitations on civil cases, only those arrested or ticketed after Sept. 6, 1999, are eligible to receive money.
Claims can be made through Feb. 10.
Apparently you didn't understand it's the panhandler's right to "demand" support and you were wrong to deny him his income - not!
Panhandlers here in "flyover country" are less sure of themselves and their rights. Also, we have concealed-carry and the panhandlers know they just might offend (threaten) the wrong person. Amazing what a difference CCW makes on the street.
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