VILLA PARK : Law to Bar Unwanted Solicitors at Homes

Hucksters, beware. Villa Park is taking aim at unwanted, door-to-door solicitors.

Responding to a flurry of complaints, the City Council Tuesday night gave preliminary approval to an ordinance that will allow residents to post “no solicitor” signs that are legally enforceable.

Under the ordinance, a person who tries to sell anything at a home where the signs are posted could be arrested on misdemeanor charges.

The council unanimously approved the first reading of the proposed new law, clearly indicating that it will approve final passage at next month’s meeting. The new ordinance would become effective in late July.

The proposed new city law says that no solicitors “shall enter upon private property where a sign prohibiting solicitation has been posted.” It would ban “soliciting orders for the sale or lease of goods, wares, merchandise and services,” as well as advertising or canvassing for that purpose. Seeking contributions for charities or religious groups would also be prohibited at such homes.

Some on the council chuckled aloud when City Atty. Leonard Hampel told them that the “no solicitors” warning could include unwanted visits by politicians.

The new law would allow residents to register at City Hall, listing their homes as off limits to door-to-door solicitors. The names and addresses on the no-solicitors-wanted register would then be given to each person or company asking for a solicitation permit, City Manager Fred Maley said.

Villa Park already has a law requiring solicitors to register, but some on the council said it is usually ignored. Councilman John Frackelton said his home had recently been visited by a roofing saleswoman who had no solicitation permit.

“If they (solicitors) don’t have a license, people can call the sheriff’s office,” Maley said. “They can be charged with trespass.”