Des Plaines, Arlington Heights move to stop unscheduled migrant transports

Bus drivers carrying migrants from Texas to the Chicago area now have two fewer towns to make unscheduled drops.

The Des Plaines City Council and the Arlington Heights village board on Tuesday enacted strict rules for the deliveries being orchestrated by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Under Des Plaines’ new rules, buses that aren’t part of a scheduled service and are transporting at least 10 passengers from other towns cannot stop to load or unload passengers in the city without prior written approval.

Applications must include information about the bus owner, driver and passengers and a required on-scene coordinator. Additionally, such buses can allow passengers to disembark only between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays and only at the downtown Metra station, 1501 Miner St.

Violators could be fined between $5,000 and $10,000, and buses could be seized.

The goal of the policy is to ensure people are treated “with dignity” and brought to Chicago’s city-run migrant landing zone on the Near West Side, where they can receive assistance and shelter, Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten called Abbott’s busing program “criminal,” especially with the recent frigid weather here.

“I think there should be a warrant out for Gov. Abbott’s arrest for human trafficking,” Walsten said.

An Abbott spokesperson couldn’t be reached for comment.

Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman called the busing of women and children to the Chicago area when temperatures are sub-zero “reprehensible.” But after Walsten’s comments, she said Abbott doesn’t deserve the blame.

“He’s doing what’s best for his state,” said Brookman, who instead blamed U.S. border policies.

Abbott, a Republican, has directed the transportation of migrants from Texas to Chicago and other Democratic-led cities for more than a year as part of his Operation Lone Star. In recent weeks, buses originating in Texas and containing thousands of migrants have headed to the suburbs because Chicago has outlawed unscheduled bus stops.

That’s led many suburbs to enact restrictions, including Mundelein, Deer Park, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, South Barrington, Elburn and Rosemont.

Arlington Heights officials took similar action Tuesday.

Under their policy, any bus company transporting at least 10 passengers one-way to Arlington Heights must apply for permission at least five days before arrival. Additionally, bus companies are responsible for coordinating passengers’ train transportation to Chicago.

As in Des Plaines, drop-offs will be allowed at a precise location along the Union Pacific Northwest train line - in this case, the Arlington Park Metra station. Village Manager Randy Recklaus can approve an alternate spot, however.

Buses must remain on site until all passengers have left or until village officials allow them to depart. That’s in case people are dropped off but there’s a problem with a train or other transportation, Recklaus said.

Violators will be fined $750 per passenger and buses could be impounded.

Village attorney Hart Passman stressed that the regulations don’t prohibit transporting people to Arlington Heights.

“The whole intent is that if there are buses coming to Arlington Heights, that there is coordination,” he said. “It's not putting up a stop sign."

But audience member Keith Moens called the rules discriminatory and a spiritual violation of Arlington Heights’ "Village of Good Neighbors" motto.

“If we pass an ordinance, the word gets out − 'Don't stop here,’” Moens said. “That's what we're hoping for here, too.”

The Crystal Lake City Council unanimously passed a similar ordinance Tuesday. The Lake Barrington village board will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at village hall, 23860 N. Old Barrington Road, to debate busing rules there.