West Cook News

In response to an overwhelming influx of unscheduled bus drop-offs of illegal immigrants at Metra stations, the city of Cicero has taken a decisive stance by passing an ordinance aimed at addressing the issue.

The move comes as suburbs across the Chicagoland area grapple with the challenges posed by the arrival of approximately 26,000 illegal immigrants since August 2022.

Cicero has approved a stringent ordinance that prohibits unscheduled bus drop-offs, imposing a hefty fine of $750 per person on bus companies facilitating the disembarkation of homeless illegal immigrants.

The city has also threatened bus impoundment and driver arrest as measures to deter such incidents, emphasizing the need for communities to actively prevent such situations.

Ray Hanania, a spokesman for Cicero, expressed the city's concern over the practice.

“It’s wrong to drop people on the street with nowhere to go,” Hanania told the Chicago Tribune. “We think every community should do this to prevent this. They need to force the state to come up with a better plan for homeless people.”

Other municipalities, such as Tinley Park and New Lenox, have taken similar actions.

Tinley Park recently passed an ordinance on December 19, granting police the authority to take immediate actions against drivers engaged in unscheduled intercity bus drop-offs, with the Chief of Police authorized to pursue criminal charges against operators and drivers endangering passenger welfare.

Tinley Park has also addressed concerns related to hotel violations, imposing limits on stays and implementing fines for non-compliance.

The move aims to alleviate the strain on police resources as suburban police agencies grapple with the increasing number of busloads of illegal immigrants being deposited in their jurisdictions.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has outlined plans for coordination with local municipalities in response to unexpected arrivals, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Several suburbs, including Lockport, Joliet, Fox River Grove, Elmhurst, and Kankakee, have experienced unannounced drop-offs of illegal immigrants, posing significant challenges for local authorities.

In an effort to manage the situation, the Aurora City Council also approved an ordinance mandating transportation companies to provide advance notice of bus arrivals, aligning with existing regulations in Chicago.

As suburban communities continue to grapple with the complexities of the illegal immigrant influx, there is a growing call for the state to devise comprehensive plans to address homelessness and prevent the strain on local resources.