Wheeling limits streets solicitation to once per year

After weeks of discussion, Wheeling officials voted Monday to limit how often charitable organizations can take to village streets to solicit donations.

A new ordinance, approved by a 4-3 vote of the village board, will allow groups only one solicitation permit per year. The permit will be valid no more than two consecutive days.

Officials enacted the measure because of concerns some were abusing the right to solicit on the streets of Wheeling, which previously had no limit on the number of times per year a group could apply for a solicitation permit.

Trustees previously discussed completely banning street solicitation for safety reasons or only allowing groups to collect money at certain intersections.

Village President Judy Abruscato and Trustee Dean Argiris opposed the measure, saying they do not have a problem with the way solicitation is handled and do not want any changes. Trustee Bill Hein also voted against the change, saying he wanted to allow groups to solicit twice a year.

“I think it’s tying their hands a bit by having it one time per year,” he said.

Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said the ordinance will not effect groups like Girl Scouts that go door-to-door in the village.

Groups such as Knights of Columbus will need to apply for a permit and be approved on a first-come, first-served basis, Sfondilis said. The ordinance also added an age limit that bars anyone under the age of 16 soliciting donations on the street.

Other villages have had similar discussions on soliciting in recent years. In February 2010, Mount Prospect limited solicitation to once a year. In Rolling Meadows, the village banned street solicitors from major intersections like Golf and Algonquin roads. Arlington Heights also has cracked down, allowing groups a once-a-year permit that lasts 90 days.