Hinsdale officials are fine-tuning their soliciting ordinance to make it clear that approaching people for religious or political purposes will not be restricted.
The Village Board discussed new rules in September for soliciting, such as requiring solicitors to wear a village-provided reflective vest and carry a copy of the village’s do-not-solicit list.
Some residents contacted the village concerned the ordinance would inhibit political activity, such as circulating petitions or doing religious outreach.
Rather, the purpose is to better control people soliciting money for business purposes, village officials said. The rules apply to people both selling items on street corners or going door to door.
Village President Thomas Cauley, Jr., said he received calls from several politicians asking why was the village trying to keep people from talking to its residents about political issues.
“We should specifically say this is not intended to prohibit political speech or the gathering of petitions or inhibit religious proselytization,” Cauley said. “I don’t think we can prohibit that.”
Those rights are guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, village officials said.
But solicitors 15 and older, who are selling items such as magazine subscriptions or candy, or are collecting donations for a non-religious entity, will have to apply for a solicitor’s permit from the Hinsdale Police Department.
Previously, 15- and 16-year-olds were exempt from the solicitor’s permit requirement.
The Police Department will do a background check on applicants to confirm that in the past five years, the applicant has not been convicted of a felony, nor had a previous solicitation permit from the village suspended or revoked.
There is no charge for the permit, but solicitors will have to leave a security deposit estimated to be about $30 for the blue security vest with reflective stripes they are required to wear, said police chief Brian King. The vest will identify the person as a registered solicitor with an identification number on the back.
The village expects to spend about $800 buying the vests and printing informational material.
The village staff reviewed the soliciting ordinance following a resident’s concern that would-be burglars could pose as solicitors to determine whether someone was home or not.
The Village Board is tentatively scheduled to vote on the revised ordinance at its Oct. 3 meeting.
Once the ordinance is approved, residents can add their addresses to the do-not-solicit list by calling or visiting the Police Department, at 121 Symonds Drive. They also may send an email via a link that will be set up on the village website. Those who initially register must re-register every five years.
Registered solicitors will be required to carry the do-no-solicit list with them and abide by it. They also are prohibited from going to homes or businesses where no trespassing, no peddling or no soliciting signs are posted.
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