Ordinance Regulating Migrant Bus Drop-Offs Passes In Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — As thousands of undocumented immigrants continue pouring into Chicagoland from Texas, the Village of Buffalo Grove passed an ordinance Tuesday night to regulate the unscheduled bus stops. Violation of the ordinance could entail fines of $300 to $1,000 per occurrence and could include seizure and impoundment of the bus.

"There is nothing political about this ordinance, as much as people may want that to be the case," Village President Eric Smith said.

The approval of the amendment to Chapter 10 of the municipal code gives the police chief authorization to regulate the unscheduled bus stops by requiring an application and at least a five-day notice. The move follows similar ordinances passed in other Chicago suburbs, including Hinsdale, Woodstock and Joliet.

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The ordinance, which describes the unscheduled drop-offs as "inhumane" and "threaten public safety," states the bus operator must provide a plan that details how the people being dropped off will be care for, housed and fed on a temporary or permanent basis as part of the application process.

"The decision to adopt this ordinance is rooted in care. In Buffalo Grove, we have heart, we have open minds and we make smart decisions," Smith said. "Our top priority is, and always will be, public safety."

According to the meeting's agenda, the ordinance and application require:

• Contact information for the owner, operator and driver of the bus;
• Contact information for the agency or entity that has contracted the bus;
• Names and identification of persons proposed to be dropped off;
• The date, time and location of the proposed drop-off;
• The location from which passengers will board the bus;
• Contact information for persons or agencies that will be on-site to receive the bus;
• A detailed plan identifying how the individuals being dropped off will be cared for, housed, and fed, either temporarily or permanently; and
• Drop-offs are limited to the hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, consistent with available Metra inbound passenger train service.

The ordinance and application do not require:

• Criminal or other background checks for passengers;
• Vaccination or other personal health information for passengers;
• Does not impose a "per passenger" fine or fee.

Metra train and Pace bus depots are both located on Commerce Court in Buffalo Grove. Officials noted that unscheduled buses have recently arrived in other Lake County municipalities, including Highland Park and Libertyville. Smith noted that the Buffalo Grove train and bus facilities have limited service to Chicago.

"If a bus were to drop off upwards of 50 passengers in an evening or a weekend, there would be no transportation to a designated landing zone and passengers could be exposed to the elements without food, water, shelter or even knowledge of their whereabouts," Smith said. "The ordinance we're passing tonight puts no burden on bus passengers."