EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — As bitter cold temperatures hit the Bi-state, a local church is being penalized for sheltering the homeless.
The city is fining First Baptist Church in Edwardsville $750 a day for opening its doors to those in need.
Back in October, the City of Edwardsville notified shelter organizers with the Glen/Ed Ministerial Alliance (GEMA) about the need for a special use permit to ensure life safety measures were in place.
A man lost both his feet in Edwardsville to the cold two years ago.
"He had bilateral amputations," Michelle Babb, secretary of GEMA, said. "That has galvanized and animated the ministerial alliance to say this should not be happening in our town."
The Overnight Warming Location at the church, located at 534 St Louis St., was activated for the fourth night on Saturday.
However, the city issued a citation on Dec. 19 due to the absence of a special use permit application.
The City of Edwardsville claims it's a zoning violation, which means a $750 fine per day for the shelter. The church is refuting that claim, citing a special permit issued in 1969 that allows the ministry to house the community, meaning it can provide shelter to those in need under that mission.
OWL organizers and city officials have been in repeated conversations since October of last year. However, the city said they have still yet to receive a special use permit application.
Some neighbors also oppose the shelter.
"I was surprised that there was negative reaction," Sabrina Trupia, a neighbor and volunteer at First Baptist Church's warming shelter, said. "I had assumed, apparently wrongly, that people in this neighborhood would have been happy to help the other people in Edwardsville because these are people who live here."
"They're not coming from anywhere else," Trupia said. "They are people in the community."
The Edwardsville Township Board of Trustees pledged support, approving $1,000 in funds that will be used to purchase an AED and Personal Protect Equipment.
The City of Edwardsville said they have not collected any fines and remain committed to working with the OWL organizers.
First Baptist Church said they're expecting to be open over the next few days because of the continued frigid temperatures.
A decision to open the warming center is sent out via Facebook at noon each day.
They are open every day. The temperature on the Alton forecasts is predicted to drop below 20 degrees. Doors open at 5 p.m. and guests leave at 8:30 a.m. after having breakfast that morning. Dinner is also provided.
Organizers said their citation court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18.