Burr Ridge Cites No Power To Bar Migrants

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso asserts the village has the power to bar hotels from accepting migrants.

While his position appears popular, the village has yet to give any evidence it has such authority.

Through a public records request, Patch asked the village to provide documentation that Burr Ridge has the ability to regulate which types of customers are allowed in local hotels.

In particular, Patch sought the records related to the special use permit for Hampton Inn, 100 Harvester Drive. This is where the state sent 64 Venezuelan migrants last month, which many residents opposed.

Nothing in the permit indicated the village had power over which paying customers Hampton Inn could serve.

At a Village Board meeting last month, Grasso said "migrant issues" were not within the customary license of a hotel.

"That would take a special request to the Village Board for that to ever happen again," the mayor said. "This is our village, our house. We want to know who's here and under what circumstances."

Two days after the migrants arrived, Grasso emailed Hampton's general manager. The mayor said he did not believe Hampton Inn's business license allowed it to run a sanctuary for legal migrants. The migrants in question stayed a week and a half, with the state picking up the bill.

Grasso said it was his belief that the hotel must petition the village before allowing migrants.

In the email to Hampton Inn, Grasso said the bookings for the migrants are not for conventions, sporting or tourism events.

"Please note that any further bookings will not be allowed without village consent and planning – if at all – I do not believe the Board of Trustees or residents disagree with my position," Grasso said.

The village code says hotels are for "travelers and guests, whether transient, permanent or residential." It says nothing about migrants or any restrictions on the type of customers, including those with criminal records.

Grasso has not returned messages for comment.

Patch also left a message with the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.