Door-To-Door Solicitors and Peddlers

Yes, solicitors must receive a permit to solicit in the Village. Solicitors must also adhere to specific guidelines and rules regulating solicitation. Political canvassing and religious proselytizing (those seeking converts, preaching) do not require a permit.

*Solicitor permit applications can be found online here. More information about our regulations applicable to solicitation can also be found in the Village Code.

*Pursuant to specific exemptions under GVC 25-3, applicants under 18 may be exempt from permits, fingerprints and fees if soliciting on behalf of a registered charitable entity or for personal services (e.g. babysitting, lawn mowing, snow removal). Otherwise, all permit requirements will apply.

Yes, per Village Code, all solicitors should have a Village solicitor’s badge visible on their outer garment at all times while soliciting within the Village. If a solicitor does not display or cannot produce a solicitor’s badge or permit, they may not be licensed to solicit within the Village. If you have questions regarding the authenticity of a solicitor’s badge or if you have concerns regarding a solicitor, call 911 to request Public Safety assistance.  

The First amendment and the U.S. Constitution protect the rights of door-to-door solicitors and preclude the ability of a community to ban door-to-door sales. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment protects door-to-door solicitation for commercial purposes, religious proselytizing, and political campaigning and the Village’s ability to restrict such activity is limited to local regulations restricting the time, place and manner of door-to-door solicitations. Homeowners and occupants, however, do have the ultimate right to determine whether solicitors shall or shall not be invited to their residences or property.  Homeowners who do not wish to be disturbed by solicitors are encouraged to post “No Solicitation” signs on their property or by their front doors. 

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. No soliciting notices should read in letters at least 3/8” in height. Free ”No Solicitors” stickers are available at Village Hall. It is illegal to solicit at a location where proper “No Soliciting” signage has been posted in the Village. With or without a sign, residents should not ever be afraid to exercise boundaries with solicitors by refusing to answer their door or by saying “no thank you” and shutting and locking their door.    

If you feel that a solicitor was pushy or rude, you may wish to contact the solicitor’s company or organization to report your experience. If a solicitor makes you feel unsafe or if you believe that a solicitor is violating the Village’s ordinance, call 911 immediately to request Public Safety assistance.

The Village does not regulate or license door-to-door canvassing or advocacy of a position or cause, unless the person is otherwise peddling or soliciting for commercial sales or funds. All solicitors are required to comply with the Village Code "No Solicitor" signage, but political canvassers and religious proselytizing (those seeking converts, preaching) are not required to register or obtain a permit from the Village to engage in door-to-door advocacy or canvassing.

Energy suppliers (such as natural gas or electric suppliers) and telecommunications companies (such as cable or telephone companies) must apply for solicitor permits. If the Village enters into a contract with an alternative electric supplier, the Village’s supplier will not go door-to-door – instead, all residential customers in the Village would enrolled with the new supplier unless they choose to opt out. If a solicitor asks to see your utility bill, remember that you are not obligated to do so; however, if you choose to show a solicitor your bill, remember to remove or conceal your personal account information. 

If you choose to consider an alternative energy supplier, the Village encourages you to learn more about suppliers by visiting the Illinois Commerce Commission’s website at http://www.pluginillinois.org/complaints.aspx. 

Residents should never compromise their security by providing utility account information to anyone unless they intend to enroll in an alternate energy program of their own choosing. The Village recommends that residents carefully protect their account information and energy billing information from solicitors and all other non-account holders.     

Call Public Safety - 911. If you have a complaint about aggressive or deceptive practices of a business, you may file a consumer complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at (800) 243-0618 or online at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/filecomplaint.html. 

If the complaint involves a utility or retail energy supplier, residents are urged to contact the Illinois Commerce Commission Consumer Services Division which regulates energy retailers by phone at (800) 524-0795 or online at www.icc.illinois.gov/consumer/complaint.