Hanover Park revises permit rule

A recent application for a door-to-door solicitor's permit in Hanover Park raised a red flag in the eyes of Village Clerk Sherry Craig.

The applicant "had committed several burglaries in several communities surrounding us," she told the village board Thursday, prompting her to alert Police Chief Ron Moser.

"(Moser) also had concerns that someone of that caliber would solicit commercially in our neighborhoods," Craig said.

But village officials were stuck. Under local law, permit could be denied only if such a conviction occurred within the past five years.

That's no longer the case.

Trustees wiped out the five-year clause this week, amending the rules to give the village greater discretion in the review of a solicitation applicant's criminal history.

Trustees Toni Carter and Bill Manton voted against the ordinance, which passed 4-2.

"I'm very uncomfortable with anything left in the hands of the government that can be taken arbitrarily," Manton said.

The new ordinance calls for an applicant to be of "good character and reputation."

It also allows the clerk and police to consider the extent and nature of past criminal activity, the applicant's age at the time, the amount of time elapsed, conduct and work activity and evidence of rehabilitation.

Manton thinks the subjectivity leaves the door open to the abuse of power. A police officer holding a personal grudge, for example, could stop a solicitor from making a living by denying the permit.

He also noted that canvassers going door-to-door for political, religious or other non-commercial reasons don't even need a permit.

"If I was going to stake out a neighborhood, I'd do it under the guise of religion or politics," he says. "What person looking to rob somebody is going to register for a permit?"

Carter called the ordinance "just another avenue to further discriminate."

If a person has stayed out of trouble for the past five years, why are they infringing on their life?" she said.