McHenry Times

Several municipalities across McHenry County have declined to respond to a McHenry Times inquiry regarding their policies on illegal immigration. The list of non-responsive communities includes Crystal Lake, Harvard, Marengo, McHenry, Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Bull Valley, Cary, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, Greenwood, Hebron, Holiday Hills, Huntley, Island Lake, Johnsburg, Lakemoor, Lakewood, McCullom Lake, Oakwood Hills, Richmond, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Trout Valley, Union and Wonder Lake.

However, four communities did engage in the discussion.

Village President Ray Bogdanowski of Lake in the Hills has reassured his community that they are prepared to facilitate the onward journey of potential migrant drop-offs to Chicago. This plan follows guidance from the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency for safe and appropriate routing.

Old McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock. | By Carldaniel \ Wikimedia Commons

"If the situation occurs where migrants are delivered to a Village of Lake in the Hills facility," Bogdanowski said. "Village staff will follow the guidance provided by the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency so that they can safely and appropriately route the migrants to the City of Chicago."

Currently, there is no ordinance within the village prohibiting such actions.

Port Barrington Village President Keith Vogeler has highlighted his community's inability to house migrants due to a lack of facilities and public transportation. He stated that they do not anticipate migrants being routed through or into their village.

“We have no facilities for housing or accepting migrates, nor do we have any form of public transportation in our Village,” Vogeler said. “Therefore we do not anticipate any will be routed through or into our Village. We do not have any hotels or motels in our Village.”

Vogeler also clarified that there are no ordinances addressing this issue and emphasized coordination with Lake County to relocate migrants to suitable care facilities if they happen to arrive in Port Barrington.

Prairie Grove Village President David F. Underwood stated that the village has not engaged in discussions regarding illegal immigration at the Village Board level and currently lacks policies addressing the matter.

"We have not discussed, at the Village Board level, any of the topics you inquire about," Underwood said. "Therefore, the Village of Prairie Grove does not appear to have anything to contribute to your story at this time."

In response to concerns about illegal immigration, Woodstock has passed an ordinance prohibiting unscheduled bus drop-offs. The regulation cites strain on resources and lack of infrastructure to support large influxes of individuals without adequate provisions. It mandates five-day advance scheduling for drop-offs, with hefty fines and impoundment for non-compliance. This measure mirrors similar ones enacted in neighboring counties following Chicago’s lead.

The refusal by most McHenry County communities to discuss their policies comes as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson requested assistance from suburban mayors with the city’s illegal immigrant crisis.

"He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government," Burr Ridge’s Gary Grasso said of Johnson.

Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak recently disclosed that his community was offered an $11 million state grant to facilitate the permanent resettlement of illegal immigrants. This revelation was made during the League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn 2024 State of the Village Annual Meeting on Jan. 26. Senak informed attendees that the state had offered this substantial grant for assisting with migrant settlement in Glen Ellyn. The issue was brought to light by State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), who notified the village about available funds for this purpose, as previously reported by DuPage Policy Journal.