These arriving by CTA practice at O’Hare Airport throughout in a single day hours want to supply proof they’ve “enterprise” there to be allowed to enter, officers mentioned.

Chicago cops will probably be asking anybody arriving on the airport through the Blue Line between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. for “proof of airport enterprise,” akin to an airline boarding go or an worker badge, the Chicago Division of Aviation mentioned in a press release.

Those that can’t present proof will probably be turned away.

“With a view to present a safe atmosphere at O’Hare Worldwide Airport, CDA safety personnel work with the Chicago Police Division to implement current legal guidelines, which clarify that it’s illegal to be at Chicago’s airports with none airport enterprise,” the airport company mentioned.

The Aviation Division emphasised that the coverage has been in place since 2020. As a safe location, O’Hare doesn’t permit members of the general public to be on the airport until they’re flying in or out or work there.

It was unclear whether or not the coverage utilized to folks choosing up or dropping off vacationers on the airport, however the company mentioned “all CTA prospects exiting the Blue Line station” throughout these hours could be requested to point out proof of enterprise.

However enforcement of that coverage appeared to have waned earlier within the winter earlier than it was given additional consideration in latest months after the variety of unhoused folks looking for shelter on the airport drew nationwide consideration and criticism.

In February, Mayor Lori Lightfoot acknowledged the seriousness of the issue however argued that conservative media had blown the problem out of proportion.

“We have now taken and can proceed to take the steps which might be obligatory to maneuver folks out of the airports,” she mentioned then. “The airports are a really totally different place than on the road beneath an underpass.”

Haymarket Middle’s O’Hare Outreach program, which connects these experiencing homelessness and looking for shelter on the airport with sources, has mentioned that although the variety of folks looking for shelter at O’Hare within the winter months all the time will increase, the rise has been increased not too long ago.

“We’re gonna proceed throughout the bounds of the legislation to do what is important to supply these of us with help — however elsewhere. They’ll’t be in our airports,” the mayor mentioned.

Nevertheless, the airport company mentioned enforcement of the coverage was renewed as a result of the Blue Line resumed 24-hour service to and from the airport final month. Beforehand, trains didn’t run from O’Hare to the Rosemont station from midnight to 4 a.m., a coverage which began through the pandemic.

An elevated police presence may very well be seen on the airport in February. Together with a cadre of officers stationed on the O’Hare Blue Line cease contained in the airport. They had been seen asking folks coming into the airport through the Blue Line to point out their airline tickets or work IDs, even earlier than 10 p.m.