Soliciting Information

Overview

The complete requirements, rules and regulations regarding the solicitation of contributions within the City limits of Elmhurst are outlined in Chapter 31 of the City of Elmhurst Municipal Code.

The purpose of the Municipal Code governing solicitors is to prevent crime; to protect the health, safety, welfare and privacy of the City’s residents in their homes from unwanted disturbances and intrusions; and to ensure that the Police Department is aware of the number and identity of persons who will be soliciting, the geographical areas and time periods during which such activities will occur.

Door-to-Door Solicitation

Permit Required
A permit to solicit door to door is required for any and all persons and organizations that wish to go upon any premises and ring the doorbell, knock upon or near any door, or create any sound in any other manner that is calculated to attract the attention of an occupant or owner for the purpose of engaging in any of the activities described below:
  • Seeking to obtain orders for the purchase of goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs, services, of any kind, character, or description whatever, for any kind of consideration whatever
  • Seeking to obtain prospective customers for application or purchase of insurance of any type, kind, or character
  • Seeking to obtain subscriptions to books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, and every other type or kind of publication
  • Seeking to obtain gifts or contributions of money, clothing, or any other valuable thing for the support or benefit of any charitable or non-profit association, organization, corporation, or project
Application Process
Anyone who wishes to solicit must apply for a solicitors permit at the City Clerk’s Office. Applications take approximately three weeks to be processed. All applicants will undergo a background check with the Police Department. Once approved, each solicitor is required to wear a photo identification badge issued by the City Clerk’s Office around their neck so that it is visible at all times while they are soliciting.

No Solicitor Invited
“No Solicitors Invited” Sticker can be requested from the City Clerk.

If a “No Solicitor Invited” sticker is displayed, a solicitor must immediately leave the premises. Any solicitor who has gained entrance to any residence, whether invited or not must immediately and peacefully depart from the premises when requested to do so.

If you have any concerns regarding any person soliciting in your neighborhood please call 911, let them know your location and that there is a solicitor in the vicinity who is in violation of City’s Municipal Code. By reporting the violation immediately, an officer will be dispatched while the solicitor is in the area. To call after they have left the area does not allow an officer to confront the solicitor in person.

Please Note
The fact that an organization has been issued permission to solicit contributions is not an endorsement of the organization by the City of Elmhurst.

Exemptions
A person age 16 and under, who is participating in fundraising programs for, or sponsored by, a public or private elementary, high school, or bona fide children’s organization including, without limitation, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or youth sports, is not required to obtain a certificate of registration.

Also exempt from obtaining a certificate of registration, are those persons who are not soliciting funds for any purpose in their canvassing, surveying, or proselytizing and who are not attempting to sell or promote any goods or services, as more fully set forth in Section 31.240 of the City of Elmhurst Municipal Code. All persons who qualify under this exemption shall be referred to as exempt solicitors.

Hours
10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Permit Fees
Not-for-profit / charitable organizations: $65
For-profit organizations:
  • Fee for the organization: $50
  • Fee per solicitor: $25

Solicitor permit application - organization(PDF)
Solicitor permit application - solicitor(PDF)

Tagging at Intersections

Overview
Permits for soliciting funds at intersections will be issued by the Clerk on a first-come first-served basis. A total of 15 tag days are permitted each calendar year. Each agency shall be limited to one permit annually. Permits will be issued for one or two consecutive days. A permit for two-day fundraising will be issued only if the second day of that fund raising activity is a Saturday.

There is a charge of $15 for a Tag Day Permit.

Tag Day Permit Application(PDF)

Requirements
The soliciting agency must be registered with the Attorney General as a charitable organization. A certificate of insurance indemnifying the City from any injury to any person or property during the solicitation which is causally related to an act of ordinary negligence of the soliciting agency must be provided to the City of Elmhurst at the time of application. Any person engaged in the act of solicitation must be at least 16 years of age and wear a high-visibility vest.

Solicitation of contributions is permitted only at intersections where all traffic is required to come to a full stop. Solicitation of contributions on IL Route 83 is not allowed under the regulations set forth in the City of Elmhurst Municipal Code.

Hours
  • 6:00 am - 6:00 pm during that time designated as Central Standard Time
  • 6:00 am - 8:00 pm during that time designated as Daylight Savings Time