The wealthy enclave of Highland Park, Illinois, roughly 25 miles north of Chicago, had plans to host a “poverty simulation event” in which the participants could increase their “understanding and awareness of what it is like to live in poverty” — at a country club that was purchased by the city and now serves as Highland Park’s senior center.
The heavily Democratic city — which gave Joe Biden over 80% of its vote in 2020 — stated on Facebook it would join the Alliance for Human Services, Family Focus, Moraine Township, and the Highland Park Community Foundation to host the simulation on September 9 for two and a half hours at the Highland Park Country Club.
“Participants in this immersive experience will begin to experience what a ‘month’ in poverty feels like,” the city stated. “Participants are put into situations in which they do not have enough resources and are forced to make difficult choices that can negatively impact them and their families. The outcome is increased awareness of the need for resources to support those living in poverty to create a more resilient health, human, and education sector in our local area. Participation is free, but registration is required.”
The city was harshly criticized by some for the idea. “Wow. The privilege here is just beyond words. What a slap in the face to all of those who are struggling, especially in today’s economy,” one commenter stated.
“I have to echo the tone-deafness of this. Held at a country club of all places,” another commenter added, according to NBC Chicago. “You’re literally holding an event to make rich people feel good about themselves and further stigmatize the experiences of people in poverty. It’s not even a fundraiser? A food drive? Something that would give anything back to the people whose experiences you’re pretending to care about?”
After the criticism was leveled, the city canceled the event.
In 2013, the city enacted an ordinance banning semiautomatic weapons and large-capacity magazines. On July 4, 2022, a 21-year-old gunman killed seven people at an Independence Day parade in the city using a semiautomatic rifle. He fired 83 shots.