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1. Does the Village regulate door-to-door solicitors?*

Yes, solicitors within the Village of Willowbrook must apply for and be approved for a permit to solicit in any residentially zoned district within the Village.   Solicitors must also adhere to specific guidelines and rules regulating door-to-door solicitation.  Charitable solicitors under the age of 17 and those engaged in canvassing shall not be subject to permitting.

2. What is required to obtain a solicitation permit?*

There is an application packet that must be obtained in person at the Willowbrook Police Department.  

The following must be submitted with the completed application:

• Solicitor Permit Fee $75.00; additional $35.00 fee per solicitor
• Solicitor Permit Transient Merchants Fee $100.00; additional $35.00 fee per solicitor
• An approximately 2" x 2" photo for each person soliciting, i.e. passport photo
• Copy of Government issued ID for each solicitor
• Copy of any literature to be handed out and/or Business card
• Certificate of Insurance (Village of Willowbrook named as an additional insured)
• Written statement issued by Attorney General of Illinois indicating compliance with 225 ILCS 460/1 and 225 ILCS 460/3 (applies to charitable solicitation)
• Copy of annual report filed with the Attorney General of Illinois pursuant to 225 ILCS 460/4 

3. Are background checks performed as part of the solicitation permit process?*

Applicants must indicate whether they have ever been convicted of the commission of a felony or have been convicted of a misdemeanor for a crime involving moral turpitude or truth and veracity, under the laws of the State of Illinois or any other state, or of a Federal law of the United States and the nature of any such conviction (applies only to commercial solicitation).

4. Do solicitors need to identify themselves?*

Yes, per Village Ordinance, all solicitors should have a Village solicitor’s photo ID badge visible on their outer garment at all times when they are engaged in soliciting within the Village.  All solicitors and canvassers are required to immediately identify themselves and the purpose of the solicitation or canvassing activity.  If a solicitor does not display and cannot produce a solicitor’s photo ID badge or permit, they may not be licensed to solicit within the Village and may be reported to the Willowbrook Police Department by calling 911.

5. What rules apply to door-to-door solicitors in the Village of Willowbrook?*

Per Village Ordinance, solicitors:

• Must cease solicitation upon owner or occupant request;
• Must obey posted “No Solicitor” signs;
• Must display their photo ID license conspicuously on their outer garment at all times while they are engaged in soliciting;
• May only ring bells, knock or engage with residents for solicitation between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (at no time on Sundays or holidays) during the months of April through October.  No solicitation or canvassing is allowed November through March or at any time of the year on Sundays or state holidays.

6. Are charities allowed to solicit donations at intersections?*

Charitable organizations with an approved solicitation permit can solicit donations within a 100 feet distance along each leg of the approved intersection.  All solicitors must wear the high visibility vest and be at least 17 years old.  The Village of Willowbrook solicitation permit identification should be prominently displayed at all times.

7. Are there areas within the Village where solicitation is not allowed?*

Solicitation is not allowed at any location where it is clearly marked with a "No Solicitation" notice.

8. What solicitor practices are prohibited?*

Under the Village Ordinance, certain solicitation practices are unlawful and prohibited.   Per Ordinance, solicitors may NOT:  

• Continue to solicit upon any premises after having been requested by the owner or occupant to leave;
• Solicit upon a premises posted against solicitation or peddling;
• Use a plan, scheme or ruse, or make statements to indicate or imply that the purpose of the solicitation is other than to obtain orders or sales;
• Cheat, deceive or fraudulently misrepresent while acting as a solicitor within the Village;
• Interfere with vehicular, bicycles, or pedestrian traffic on any public right-of-way.

9. How do I prevent solicitors from coming to my home?*

Prominently display a no soliciting notice on or near the main entrance by way of a sign measuring at least 3” x 4” in size.

10. Are there exemptions?*

Yes, Title 3 – Chapter 13-Section 3-13-14: 

NO LIMITATIONS TO FREE SPEECH RIGHTS

“Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or enforced so as to restrict the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, article I of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, or any federal or state law protecting the right to freedom of speech or freedom of religion. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit religious organizations or individuals from religious proselytizing or political organizations or individuals from soliciting contributions for elected public offices or referendum questions to be submitted to the voters, as authorized by Article 9 of the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/9-1.1, et seq.), or otherwise engaging in political activities related to specific individuals, issues, political parties or political action groups. (Ord. 21-O-15, 3-22-2021; amd. Ord. 21-O-22, 4-26-2021)”