Village Manager's Message
In the early 90’s, I was sent on a police call to deal with people who were selling wares out of their hotel room without a permit. I cited them under the ordinance for “peddlers, hawkers, and itinerant merchants.” I was an avid reader of law and local ordinances. I always enjoyed using lesser-known local ordinances and law to apply in any given call. I always thought a peddler and hawker were the same as a solicitor only to find out a solicitor differs because a solicitor takes orders for a future delivery of goods and services while a peddler and hawker sells their wares for immediate delivery. In Villa Park, like so many communities, it has the occasional issue of solicitors who go door to door without a permit. Most of us have been subjected to a stranger coming to our door to offer to sell us something like a new roof or siding due to hail damage or the latest security system.
In Villa Park we have numerous ordinances in Chapter 20 in our Code of Ordinances to help regulate solicitor operations. All solicitors must register first with Village Hall. The cost is $50 for the solicitor certificate to be good for 30 days. The cost is $25 if the applicant represents a not-for-profit. When we receive a solicitor’s application. The application can be found online or can be filled out in person. The processing time for the application is fairly short. The police department conducts a brief background to make sure someone entering your property is law abiding. Section 20-203 of our Village Code describes the four reasons why a solicitor’s permit may be denied. Village Hall maintains all solicitor permit records.
Once a certificate for a solicitor is issued there still needs to be rules for the applicant to abide by. If you should not want any solicitor or canvasser to enter your property there needs to be a sign clearly posted bearing the words: “No Solicitors or Canvassers” (Section 20-102). If someone should knock on your door or ring your doorbell claiming to be a solicitor; you should immediately request to see their solicitor’s permit. If the solicitor fails to show a permit call 9-1-1 to make the Village aware. An officer will come out to deal with the situation.
If you should allow a solicitor to enter your premises, you still have the legal right to request the solicitor to immediately and peacefully depart. (Section 20-103). Failure of the solicitor to leave immediately could result in a local ordinance violation. The Village usually sees an uptick in solicitor activity anytime there is a violent storm or a hailstorm.
I have dealt with solicitors at my residence. I was at work, in charge of the Memorial Day parade when my wife called to say she purchased a new security system from a solicitor and provided a credit card. I feared the legitimacy of this person. I raced home after the parade and located the solicitor still in the neighborhood. I begged for personal information back and the solicitor was nice enough to give it back. Solicitors are just trying to make a living. Call the police if you think something is amiss.
View the full weekly report here. All weekly and monthly reports can be found in our Document Center under Village Manager.
Mike Rivas
Village Manager
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