Winnetka becomes latest suburb to pass migrant busing ordinance

Winnetka has joined the list of Chicagoland suburbs who have passed ordinances penalizing one way buses dropping migrants off near Metra stations following restrictions on drop-offs in Chicago.

Village Attorney Peter Friedman outlined the ordinance saying 36 other communities have adopted or were considering regulations.

The Winnetka Village Council voted unanimously during its Jan. 9 regular board meeting to prohibit unscheduled one way busing of 10 or more passengers. Buses must make drop offs on weekdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and must make the drop offs within a 30 minute window of its scheduled arrival. The designated drop off location is the Indian Hill Metra Station parking lot.

Buses will have to complete an advanced approval application and submit it to Village Manager Robert Bahan at least five days prior to the drop off. The application must include information regarding who has ordered the bus, who will be driving, the number of passengers, and other vehicle information along with a plan for when passengers disembark.

Under the ordinance, Bahan may also limit the number of drop offs to one per day.

Penalties include fines up to $750 per passenger plus village costs and revocation of application approval. Buses may also be impounded by village police.

A bus arrived in the early evening hours of Christmas at the Hubbard Woods Train station in Winnetka, according to village officials. Winnetka police spoke with the driver and redirected them to the Chicago migrant welcome center. That bus has been the sole instance of migrant drop offs so far in the village.

“In talking with other municipalities nearby, a one or two bus drop off could take all their public safety resources to ensure the passengers safely get on trains and move to their next destination,” Bahan said. “It ensures the better treatment, health, safety and welfare of the passengers as well as the community.”

Village Trustee Rob Apatoff said the safety of Winnetka residents is his top concern.

“There’s not vetting done. How do you know who is coming into your community?” he said. “That’s the concern.”

Village officials reported there was no undue burden placed on the village from the lone bus that has arrived.