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Buffalo Grove ready to pass ordinance restricting migrant drop-offs

Buffalo Grove is ready to join other suburbs in passing an ordinance to deter unscheduled drop-offs of migrants from the southern border.

The village board is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure that would require a “complete and accurate application” for a bus stop, with no less than five days notice.

The bus driver would have to provide a detailed plan spelling out how the people being dropped off would be cared for, housed and fed, either temporarily or permanently.

Ordinance violations could trigger fines of $300 to $1,000 per occurrence, as well as the impounding of the bus.

“If enacted, this ordinance provides for more effective contingency planning and provides for enhanced first responder preparation and safety, while ensuring migrant passengers are protected from the elements and receive care,” states a memo to the village board from Village Manager Dane Bragg and Police Chief Brian Budds .

The move comes as buses Texas continue to make unexpected stops in the suburbs, mostly at train stations, to unload migrants.

Neither the Buffalo Grove nor the Prairie View train station in the village have Pace bus or Metra rail service on the weekend. Passenger trains operate from 5:57 a.m. to 4:16 p.m. on weekdays only.

“It's a concern, because our Metra station doesn't have that much coverage,“ Village President Eric Smith said. “If buses were to drop people off at the Metra station, they could sit there, and we would have no idea they were there, because there are so few trains, and on the weekends there are no trains at all. So, it became a safety issue for us.”

“The preference is to direct these buses to Chicago, before they get off the bus,” he added. “Because we don’t want (migrants) sitting in the freezing cold when we have no idea that they're even there.”

Suburbs including Aurora, Rosemont, Elbun and South Barrington have enacted similar ordinances.

In addition, DuPage County officials say they are working with local and regional partners to ensure that asylum seekers arriving on buses from out of state are routed to Chicago.

"Our primary goal is to help these new arrivals get to their destination in the city as safely, and with as few delays, as possible,“” county board Chair Deborah Conroy said in a written statement. “We are grateful for the collaboration with state, regional, and local officials, who have been enormously helpful in ensuring the safety and security of those arriving in DuPage County, as well as our residents.”

Since Dec. 14, 49 buses carrying 2,081 passengers have arrived at train stations in DuPage County, officials said. They boarded trains to Chicago, where city teams guided them to a “landing zone," which is the only designated location in the state for asylum-seekers.

Residents who would like to assist by donating food, clothing, or small household items or to learn more about the requirements for sheltering, can visit chicago.gov/support.

Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith
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