Soliciting in Oswego: Applying for a Permit and Soliciting Restrictions

Most everyone has likely at one point been visited by a solicitor at home, whether that solicitor be Girl Scouts selling cookies, students or athletes from a local school or a merchant/peddler of various goods.

Earlier this week a Yorkville resident posted to the boards a community alert regarding a solicitor that made her uncomfortable and seemed to be seeking information about her children and other neighborhood children. 

Since that post the solicitor in question has had his solicitor's permit revoked after numerous complaints from other residents came in, said Yorkville Police Chief Rich Hart. 

In light of this, some have wondered how exactly one goes about getting a permit. According to Oswego Village Code a permit can be acquired by applying through the Oswego Police Department. All forms can be picked up at the department.

The application includes a brief description of the nature of the business, the period of time for which the certificate is requested, and the individual's Illinois Business Tax Number among other provisions. No certificate will be issued to any person convicted of a felony within the last five years to date of the application. 

The chief of police or a designee will approve or deny an application and keep all applications on file.

Solicitors pay a $100 application fee or a $50 per month fee, although no fee will be charged if the solicitor is working for a religious, educational or charitable organization where said organization is considered a non-profit and has a tax exempt status as well as any newspaper, periodical or book seller and farmers, fruit and vine grower and gardeners. 

Residents may restrict solicitation by posting a "NO PEDDLERS AND/OR SOLICITORS INVITED" sign or posting set soliciting hours. In the Village of Oswego solicitors may not visit any residence prior to 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the week, prior to 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Saturday and no soliciting is allowed on Sunday or any national holiday.

It is unlawful for solicitors to visit residences during these times or residences where a "no solicitors invited" sign is displayed.

Any solicitor who is asked to leave the premises by the homeowner is asked to comply. This is stated in full in section 3-9-8 of the code: "Any peddler or solicitor who has gained entrance to or who is on any premises, whether invited or not, shall immediately and peacefully depart from the premises when requested to do so by the occupant."

Any person found liable/guilty by a preponderance of the evidence of a violation of this chapter in an administrative/judicial hearing shall be subject to a class IV fine, plus applicable hearing costs, according to the Code. 

You can read the full code on soliciting here.