Migrant Crisis: Lockport Approves Ordinance Regulating Unscheduled Buses

LOCKPORT, IL — After an emergency order last month about regulating unscheduled drop-off of passengers by privately chartered buses, the Lockport City Council approved an ordinance ratifying the emergency order at Wednesday's meeting.

The emergency order was issued Dec. 22, after a bus attempted to drop off migrants in Lockport.

"Lockport does not have the resource and the facility to adequately address the needs of the passengers," according to council documents.

With the approval of an ordinance, the City Code will now be amended to prohibit unscheduled disembarking of passengers by private chartered buses, and a process to apply for prior approval of disembarking.

This process will include an application to the chief of police at least five days before the drop-off date, according to council documents.

"We're just trying to keep folks able to get to the facilities we're they're supposed to be going, and just making sure that they're safe," Mayor Steve Streit said during the meeting.