4 suburbs approve ordinances to fine bus companies that drop off migrants without notice

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Four Chicago suburbs - Hinsdale, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove and Joliet - took official action in response to the growing migrant crisis on Tuesday night.

"We've recently been advised by a bus driver that unless we do something, these buses will keep coming unannounced at least through March," said Hinsdale Village President Tom Cauley.

Hinsdale the list of suburbs passing ordinances fining bus companies that drop off migrants without notice.

One bus from Texas arrived at the Hinsdale Metra stop on Monday. It was the 11th in that suburb in 11 days.

"All busloads of migrants who have arrived in Hinsdale have boarded the trains for their destination, Chicago, without incident," Cauley said.

What initially began as mostly south and west suburban drop-offs are now spreading to far northern communities like Woodstock, which saw an arrival last weekend.

Migrants were dropped off in Woodstock at the Metra station, where they then boarded a train to Chicago.

"First person I saw was a young little kid in a little teeny stroller, couldn't have been but three years old. Kid looked sick. I wanted to pick him up and take him to the hospital," said Rob Mutert with Warp Corps.

Many of the migrants have arrived without proper clothing and in need of other resources that many of the suburban communities say they simply do not have.

"We do not have the staff, the expertise, or the money," said Woodstock Mayor Michael Turner. "And that may not be the ideal. We may all wish it was something different, but that's the reality."

Turner said it all speaks to the need for a federal solution to the migrant crisis.

"It really begs, you know, begs the need for a broader national solution on the entire issue. That's not something that will be decided by the city of Woodstock. We have to kind of focus on our needs and things that we're trying to achieve here," Turner said.

Woodstock resident Jose Lopez also weighed in.

"I don't think we have to follow in the footsteps of every town around us. We have a chance to show that we are people," Lopez said.

The Woodstock City Council passed its own bus regulation ordinance, prohibiting the transport of large groups of people without an approved application. Penalties include a $10,000 fine plus a $750 fine per passenger.

Buffalo Grove approved a similar ordinance, and Joliet also took action.

"I am in complete agreement that we want to guard our city," one speaker said at a Joliet City Council meeting.

City leaders there added to the chorus of suburban voices pleading for a federal solution.

"It's going to have to be done by the federal government. It's going to have to go to that level to help us all get through this," said Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy.

This comes after Tinley Park also approved its own regulations. Suburban officials say these ordinances are not an empty threat, and they are prepared to respond with law enforcement if buses arrive unannounced.