McHenry Times

In response to a query from the McHenry Times regarding its policies on illegal immigrants, the City of Woodstock sent a copy of an ordinance passed earlier this year that disallows unscheduled bus drop-offs in the city. The ordinance mirrors several others passed in the collar counties after Chicago passed its own ordinance disallowing drop-offs following the drop-off of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from buses originating in Texas.

The regulation stipulates that buses must schedule drop-offs five days in advance. Failure to comply will result in a $10,000 fine per bus and an additional $750 fine per passenger. The ordinance also permits the impoundment of non-compliant buses.

According to the text of the ordinance, "The immigration crisis in the United States involving a large influx of refugees and immigrants without family, jobs, housing or other resources has placed a significant demand on the resources needed to support these individuals in the communities in which they have arrived."

The document further states that Woodstock is ill-equipped to handle large groups of illegal immigrants. "The City of Woodstock is not in a position to care for a large influx of individuals who do not have the resources to provide housing and other basic necessities for themselves," it reads.

This decision by Woodstock came before Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's appeal for assistance from suburban mayors regarding the city’s illegal immigrant crisis. Burr Ridge's Mayor Gary Grasso said about Johnson's request: "He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government." In an interview with NBC Chicago, Grasso added that Johnson specifically asked for increased funding support for shelter and services for migrants and called upon Washington for aid.

In related news, Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak disclosed during the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting on January 26 that his community was offered an $11 million state grant. This fund is intended to facilitate the permanent resettlement of illegal immigrants within Glen Ellyn. State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) had previously informed Senak about this potential funding opportunity as reported by DuPage Policy Journal.

Concerns have been heightened due to reports that over 34,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Illinois since mid-2022. This has intensified calls for more robust border control measures. Last fall, Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant money for municipalities to house illegal immigrants. As of last fall, Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana and Chicago had received these funds to assist with housing and other needs. Overall, the state has allocated $500 million for the care of illegal immigrants according to Capitol News Illinois.