DuPage County says it has no authority to enact bus restrictions
DuPage County officials said they have no plans ‒ or the authority ‒ to prevent buses from dropping off migrants at area train stations or to declare itself a nonsanctuary county.
County board Chairwoman Deborah Conroy clarified Tuesday the county’s stance, noting it does not have home rule authority and could not adopt such resolutions.
“We are not home rule, so that’s not up for discussion,” Conroy said, adding that the county has confirmed with the state’s attorney’s office that it does not have the authority to adopt such measures.
Conroy’s remarks come as Kane County officials also acknowledge that they lack the legal authority to address the issue.
As of Tuesday morning, DuPage County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management was aware that 96 buses carrying a total of 3,996 migrants have made stops at train stations in the county since Dec. 14.
Conroy said passengers boarded trains, without incident, to Chicago so they could arrive at the landing zone.
“By our estimates, DuPage County has ensured the safe passage of approximately 64% of the region’s asylum seekers,” Conroy said at Tuesday’s county board meeting.
Conroy said OHSEM has fielded hundreds of calls in recent weeks and shared information with municipalities, police departments and emergency managers as buses continue to arrive in the suburbs.
“We will continue to plan and react as needed to provide compassionate service to those who need our help while maintaining a high quality of life and outstanding service to our residents,” Conroy added.
Conroy said several residents have reached out asking how they could help. She encouraged residents to visit chicago.gov for information on how they can help.
County board members expressed concern about the ongoing migrant crisis as busloads of asylum seekers continue to arrive in Illinois from Texas and said action needs to be taken at a higher level to address the influx of migrants.
“It’s a national issue that has to be addressed at some point because it’s just not sustainable,” said county board member James Zay, a Carol Stream Republican.
In December, after Chicago enacted new restrictions on bus arrivals, buses began dropping off their passengers at suburban train stations so they could board commuter trains to Chicago. Several suburban communities, including Aurora and Hinsdale, have since adopted their own ordinances restricting bus arrivals.