Will County Gazette

In response to growing concerns about unannounced bus drop-offs and the influx of undocumented immigrants in the region, the Village of Channahon earlier this year passed an ordinance aimed at regulating such activities. Sydney Thompson, the Marketing and Communications Manager for Channahon, confirmed the ordinance’s passage, citing its basis on an emergency order issued by the Village President in December.

"This ordinance is based on the emergency order of the Village President issued in December," Thompson told Will County Gazette.

The unanimously approved ordinance passed on Jan. 2, restricts buses from dropping off passengers without prior notice. It mandates bus drivers and companies to secure a permit supervised by the chief of police five days before arriving in the municipality. Non-compliance with this regulation results in a $750 fine per passenger.

Thompson's statement follows Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak's recent revelation that their community was offered an $11 million state grant to aid in permanently resettling undocumented immigrants. Senak made this disclosure during the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting on Jan. 26.

"So you understand what I believe that $11 million is for us to have migrants come to Glen Ellyn and locate here and settle here and remain here, and what that would entail to accomplish that," he said. 

Senak further shared that State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) had informed them about these funds' availability.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's request for assistance from suburban areas due to concerns about housing illegal immigrants has added another layer to this issue. 

"He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government," Burr Ridge’s Mayor Gary Grasso informed NBC Chicago.

Grasso also noted that Johnson specifically requested increased funding support for sheltering migrants and providing necessary services, along with assistance from the federal government.

This plea comes amidst a surge in drop-offs of undocumented immigrants in Chicagoland since December 2023. With over 34,000 illegal immigrants having arrived in Illinois since mid-2022, concerns have escalated, prompting stronger calls for border control measures. Last fall, Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant funds to municipalities for housing and supporting illegal immigrants. Recipients included Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana, and Chicago. In total, the state has earmarked $500 million for the care of illegal immigrants, as reported by Capitol News Illinois.

During a recent Hinsdale Village Board meeting, where drop-offs were prohibited, officials received information from a bus driver that these incidents are likely to continue until March. The daily frequency of drop-offs across the state varies, sometimes exceeding 10 instances. Additionally, the number of individuals being dropped off can reach up to 800 people per day, according to DuPage Policy Journal.