Wheeling considers ban, restrictions for street solicitors

Wheeling officials are considering a measure that would ban — or at least restrict — solicitors on the village’s major roadways, for both safety and nuisance reasons.

The village board on Tuesday postponed a vote on an ordinance that would completely prohibit solicitation on the streets while they further discuss the measure along with proposals to limit the number of permits a group can get each year.

The discussion first came up several months ago when village trustees complained that some groups were too often requesting “tag days” — days on which solicitation is allowed. Currently there is no limit on how many times an organization can apply for these permits each year.

“Certain organizations seem like they are on the street corner every weekend,” said Trustee Ken Brady, who suggested a limit of two times a year for groups that solicit donations.

Some of the groups that solicit in the village, including the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and the Wheeling Rotary Club, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

While there has not been an accident involving a roadway solicitor, Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said their presence could be dangerous, especially along busy roads such as Milwaukee Avenue or Dundee Road.

Village Attorney Jim Ferolo said the village cannot specify which organizations can or cannot solicit in Wheeling — such as banning out-of-town organizations — because that could be a First Amendment concern. But the village can look at other ways to restrict the practice, such as designating where and how often it’s allowed, he said.

Village President Mayor Judy Abruscato said she doesn’t have a problem with solicitation on village streets and thinks it should be left alone.

“If you say you can’t solicit in the streets it could cause more problems by trying to enforce it,” she said.

“It seems like we’re prohibiting our own citizens from being out there doing charitable works and it’s getting to be where we’re controlling things that maybe we ought to just let roll,” Trustee Dave Vogel added.

The proposal will be back before trustees at their workshop meeting on Monday, Jan. 23.

Other villages have had similar discussions on soliciting in recent years, including Mount Prospect which in February 2010 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.