West Cook News

In the wake of the City of Chicago's recent ordinance regulating the arrival of buses carrying asylum-seeking migrants, Western Springs Village President Heidi Rudolph said the village will not turn away illegal immigrants seeking transportation into Chicago.

Though Western Springs has not yet experienced a migrant bus drop-off, the village has been proactive in its preparations.

"Should buses of migrants arrive in Western Springs we are prepared to support their efforts to safely and efficiently board Chicago-bound trains,” Village President Heidi Rudolph said in a press release.

“At this time, the Village has no plans to restrict the ability of the migrants to pass through Western Springs. We will continue working closely with public safety staff and social service organizations to prepare to provide temporary shelter and resources to the families, if needed.”

Rudolph reports that the village staff has been in constant communication with neighboring municipalities, local police departments, Cook County officials, the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Office of Emergency Services to stay informed and ready.

In contrast, several municipalities have responded by passing ordinances similar to Chicago's, restricting the options available to bus operators for such drop-offs.

During a Hinsdale Village Board meeting where drop-offs were prohibited, officials reported being notified by a bus driver that such occurrences were expected to continue through March.

The frequency of daily drop-offs throughout the state has varied, often exceeding 10 instances and, at times, approaching 800 people per day.

Western Springs’ actions come in response to regulations enacted by nearby suburbs such as Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills.

Those ordinances were prompted by Chicago's rules threatening fines and impoundment of unannounced buses carrying illegal immigrants, Texas has redirected buses to suburban locations.

The drop-offs have occurred continually in the suburbs since Dec. 22, beginning after the City of Chicago enacted its regulations.

The continuous nature of these drop-offs and the increasing numbers have prompted local authorities and communities to reevaluate their responses and consider additional measures to address the challenges associated with the influx of illegal immigrants.