Ordinance May Divert Migrant Buses to Unprepared Suburbs

Ordinance May Divert Migrant Buses to Unprepared Suburbs

As the Wilmette Village Board prepares to vote Wednesday on a new ordinance regulating unscheduled bus drop-offs of migrants, local advocates are warning that the measure could have the unintended consequence of diverting these buses to nearby suburbs that are less equipped to handle the influx.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit bus drop-offs outside of normal business hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and restrict drop-offs to the Metra station location. Violations could result in fines to the busing companies.

While the ordinance aims to address logistical challenges faced by the Wilmette Police Department and community volunteers, critics argue it could simply push the problem to other suburbs that lack Wilmette's established support network.

"Our volunteers have been critical in helping these migrants, many of whom are headed to Chicago to get vaccinated before accessing the shelter system," said local resident Jane Doe. "I'm concerned this ordinance could make it much harder for us to continue serving this vulnerable population, and the buses will just go to other towns that aren't prepared."

Nearby communities like Winnetka, Glencoe, and Highland Park have already adopted similar bus ordinances, which some say have effectively resulted in buses being diverted to other towns without the same level of community assistance.

"Even modest regulations in other communities have led to the buses simply going elsewhere," said Wilmette Village Manager Michael Braiman. "We want to continue being welcoming, but we also have to balance the practical needs of our village."

The search results indicate that towns like Glenview, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Evanston, and Skokie have not adopted any bus-related ordinances and have not received any drop-offs from Texas. These communities may become the new targets for the migrant buses if Wilmette's ordinance is approved.

Advocates worry that without Wilmette's network of volunteers to provide food, clothing, and other assistance, the migrants could be left stranded in these unprepared suburbs, potentially creating new public safety and humanitarian concerns.

The Wilmette Village Board is set to consider the proposed ordinance at their meeting on Wednesday, April 24th. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their perspectives on this evolving situation.