Village of Riverwoods Passes Ordinance Regulating Unscheduled Migrant Drop-offs

On January 16, 2024, the Village of Riverwoods Board of Trustees approved an ordinance aimed at regulating unscheduled and unannounced stops by buses or chartered transportation services carrying asylum seekers.  

Adjacent municipalities have passed similar ordinances, but with Riverwoods being a significantly smaller town, without its own train station, no community center or other large venues that may serve the purpose of providing temporary accommodations for migrants, the passing of the ordinance has helped pave the roadmap for law enforcement on how to handle a situation that has historically not taken place in Riverwoods.

In summary, to conduct an unscheduled stop, drivers must file an application with the Police Chief at least five days before the proposed drop off date, detailing information about the service, passengers, and a plan for their care upon disembarking. The Village's approval may come with conditions, limiting the number of vehicles and specifying operational hours.

Failure to adhere to the regulations carries penalties ranging from fines to potential impoundment of the vehicle. The ordinance emphasizes the Village's commitment to public safety while recognizing the potential impact on the well-being of passengers disembarking from unscheduled stops.