Lake County Gazette

In mid-January, the Village of Deerfield passed an ordinance prohibiting unannounced bus drop-offs. This suburban Chicago village is among several others that have implemented such an ordinance in response to the illegal migrant crisis affecting their communities.

"Please see our press release and recent Mayor's Message regarding this matter on our website,” Communications Coordinator David Fitzgerald-Sullivan for the Village of Deerfield told Lake County Gazette.

The press release provided by Fitzgerald-Sullivan included a statement from Deerfield Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro.

“The ordinance the Board approved tonight is intended to address reasonable regulations to ensure that buses do not leave people unannounced, overnight or abandoned in the cold and that their safety as well as the safety of our residents is assured,” Shapiro said in the statement. “It is intended to make sure that migrants and asylum seekers are not randomly left in the cold and that they are redirected to the Intake Center in Chicago where there are services to help them. It also addresses the consequences to bus companies and drivers which fail to meet those regulations.”

The newly passed ordinance imposes a $750 fine per passenger for buses that drop off illegal immigrants without prior notification in the village. Additionally, it stipulates a misdemeanor offense for drivers of these buses.

Shapiro also addressed the illegal immigrant crisis in a message dated January 8. 

"Several residents have contacted me about how we can compassionately address the recent influx of migrants and asylum seekers to the Chicagoland area. I appreciate everyone in the community who has reached out with care and concern," he wrote.

According to Shapiro, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has clarified the role of local governments in assisting migrants. The agency specifies that their responsibility includes facilitating safe transport to the City of Chicago Intake Center. Shapiro further stated that the Village pledges to treat migrants with dignity and compassion, akin to other visitors to the community.

The ordinance in Deerfield was enacted before Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sought assistance from suburban mayors regarding the city's illegal immigrant crisis. "He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government," Mayor Gary Grasso of Burr Ridge informed NBC Chicago.

Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak recently disclosed during the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting on January 26 that his community had been offered an $11 million state grant. This grant is intended to facilitate permanent resettlement of illegal immigrants within Glen Ellyn. Senak told attendees that State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) had alerted them about this substantial grant opportunity for aiding migrant settlement in Glen Ellyn, as previously reported by DuPage Policy Journal.

Reports indicating that over 34,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Illinois since mid-2022 have raised concerns and amplified calls for stronger border control measures. Last fall, Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant funds for municipalities to accommodate illegal immigrants. As of then, Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana, and Chicago had received state grants to assist with housing and other needs. In total, the state has earmarked $500 million for the care of illegal immigrants, as reported by Capitol News Illinois.