Madison’s Common Council is in the process of potentially repealing a city ordinance that prohibits panhandling. The ordinance and others like it have actually been unenforceable since 2015, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that it infringes on the right to free speech.

Professor Genevieve Lakier at The University of Chicago Law School has written on the case. This afternoon, she spoke with WORT News Producer Faye Parks to share some expert insight on panhandling regulations. She says changing unconstitutional ordinances can be vital in cases like this; law enforcement could violate a panhandler’s constitutional rights and the panhandler most likely wouldn’t have the resources to pursue justice.

Read more at WORT