The increase in buses from Texas disembarking asylum seekers at locations in Joliet and Will County, Chicago and other communities has prompted a coordinated effort between municipalities and state agencies throughout the Chicagoland region.
The Joliet City Council on Tuesday acted telling the public that asylum seekers are not welcome in the community.
Part of the amendment adopted unanimously by the council stipulates that not only will buses that transport asylum seekers be impounded, but the bus company can be fined up to $750 per person on each bus if they fail to seek an application with Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans.
The amendment states that Evans must have the name of every person on the bus, along with a criminal background check conducted on all riders before he would even consider the bus dropping off asylum seekers to make an unscheduled stop in Joliet.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy Tuesday encouraged anyone who sees a bus transporting asylum seekers making a stop in Joliet to call 911.
“All of our police officers in every zone in the city are well aware of how to handle a situation if a bus were to come into the city and even think about dropping off,’’ he added.
Councilman Joe Clement said while he lauds the council action, he believes the City of Joliet should go a step further and not pass a resolution declaring itself as a sanctuary city. “Are they just going to continue sending these buses everywhere?” Clement asked the question directed to Beth Beatty.
Beatty, Joliet’s new city manager who worked in Chicago City Hall before recently starting her new Job said she does not believe Chicago is deliberately sending these buses carrying asylum seekers to Joliet. Beatty described the problem as a federal issue that requires immediate attention.
Beatty said the City of Chicago is spending roughly $40 million per month to handle the influx of asylum seekers.
“We are working diligently to coordinate information between public safety agencies, the State of Illinois and City of Chicago,” said Will County EMA Director Allison Anderson. “Our priority is ensuring humane transportation of asylum-seekers to the official Chicago landing zone.”
An official landing site is being operated by the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication at 800 S. Des Plaines Avenue in coordination with the State of Illinois. Shelter is provided while the agency works to identify permanent placement.
