After someone is hurt or killed the laws will be changed

One time per year per "charity". I think several of the I think "legitimate" charities such as the firemen are well worth while. The PROBLEM. Is the "community outreach" that is at most every intersection every weekend. Which has ruined it for everyone else. I highly doubt anyone even knows where the money solicited for that "charity " even goes. Those people walking around at each and every intersection looking at motorists waving smiling looking at you..... Just makes me angry Total rip off I suspect....can't believe it when I see people actually give money! I ALWAYS give to firemen......

One group had the Walmart in Mt Prospect targeted last week, they had collectors at the end of each aisle in the parking lot - as if Walmart parking lots weren't dangerous enough. I agree with b garrett, some of these collectors don't appear to be with any specified group, just wearing pullovers with "Outreach Ministry" on them. Fireman, American Legion, KoC, I don't have a problem with it, just wish it was done at safer intersections.

No, this practice should be banned. In addition to these solicitations being wide open to fraud (not all of them, but the cheaters have given the honest charities a black eye), this type of solicitation is dangerous. It's dangerous for the guy with the money can and can be dangerous for the driver who is distracted while digging for money.

It's way too easy for people to buy a vest with some logo on it, buy a bag of lollipops at Costco and stand there pretending to be with a charity taking people's money! The only charities collecting that way who I give any money to is the firemen (cause they rule) and sometimes the Kiwanis peanut day people. Anyone else is totally suspect to me, in particular those Outreach Ministry people whom I believe are the biggest scam ever in our NW suburbs. I don't believe they are legit even for a second!

Misericordia yes, K of C yes, Lions club yes, Firemen, yes, these are once a year events and I know these funds are vital to their bottom line - the "others" are there day in and day out and I highly doubt their legitimacy - who are the folks in the all white uniforms with red stripes?

There is always someone at the Lake Cook overpass stoplight every week. They seem to have a badge on but I'd like to know if they really do have permission from the City of Highland Park. I don't object to their presence but to see them there literally every week is way too much.

not recommended for intersections & in the streets or curbs. they hinder traffic. o.k. for private commercial area (with permission of course) or at municipal area such as parks, in front of libraries or at sports events.

Most cities/villages require a permit. Solicitors must be wearing vests. I have done this for several causes and I know that there is paperwork to go through along with being a legitimate charity. People volunteering also sign waivers.

Established charities should confine themselves to commercial or public venues after gaining whatever permissions needed -- it is distracting and dangerous to do this at intersections. However worthy the cause, there are safer areas from which to solicit. I have done stints "begging" for causes I consider worthwhile -- hard work, but important. I would not do it at a busy intersection.

These beggars walk in front of cars and block normal traffic flow. If we dont start driving in a regular situation we can get a ticket. The ones from some drug ministry have cans with big wholes in the tops. Right. They walk all over and we cant make left turns on the arrow.

I am so tired of people asking me for money - intersections, street corners, at the entrance to the supermarket, outside the coffee shop, and on the CTA. I am generous and charitable with the causes I support but I get overwhelmed by the constant and insistent begging.

and why do those outfits look like band uniforms on the 53 exit at Rand, don't even know the charity and don't want to know, looks bogus

I agree with some of you. I too don't give to the shady ones. Let the ones who serve a purpose to collect, fireman, K of C, The Poppy for the vets, etc......but if you banned these people then you need to ban the Boys and Girls Scout and the bell ringers at Christmas. You can't let some and not let others.

I belong to Kiwanis, one of the organizations that solicits on the streets. We are limited by our organization's rules and local policy to once a year, and we must always secure permission from the town (Palatine). The village limits the street corners we may use, based on security factors. We secure special insurance for the event. It is a well-organized and supervised event. We receive many thousands of dollars in donations, and funnel all the money collected to worthy local causes; the funds stay in the community.

Sometimes people are irritated at us for being at the stop sign or traffic signal holding a bag of peanuts and smiling, but the usual response is a returned smile and a cheerful greeting, with or without a donation. No one is pressured; all donations are free-will.

As long as it is well-regulated and limited by the local government, it is a safe, efficient way to raise money along with public awareness of the work that our organization and others do for the community every day of the year.

of course...politically incorrect to say....but; these' COMMUNITY OUTREACH'/WHAT EVER COMMUNITY THEY REPRESENT?/ guys are all black. and of course will scream 'DISCRIMINATION' IF ANY EFFORT TO CONTROL THEM INITIATED.....ANYWAY/ SOON ENOUGH TOO COLD FOR THEM TO STAND OUTSIDE....TILL NEXT SPRING WHEN THEY DESCEND ON THE NORTHERN SUBURBS AGAIN....HOPEFULLY IF PEOPLE JUST STOP GIVING ANY MONEY THEY WILL GET TIRED OF IT AND GO AWAY OF THEIR OWN VOLITION.

I think it should be limited to once a year and to local charities with chapter within 5 miles of the solicitation area.

@Teresa good point.

Yes! It makes people feel good to help a worthy cause and non-profits need the support. Permits should weed out who is a legitimate 501(c)3 organization and who is not. I thank the volunteers who give their time to help Clearbrook and other worthy causes!

U r only partly right, b garrett. Your comment IS politically incorrect, but it won't just be the blacks who will be unhappy; the WHITE folks who collect hundreds of dollars will also scream if the practice is banned. Giving money isn't half as dangerous as talking on cell phones, putting on make up, eating and drinking, reading the paper (yep!) and a host of other multi-tasking distractions I've seen while collecting money for Rotary. Permits ARE required, and charities must have a 501c3 standing. It's a good reminder that every day around the world there are people in need. If you don't give a few coins at least say a prayer.

No, this practice should be stopped. We don't need people clogging the intersections begging for donations at anytime during the day. I don't care how worthy the cause is--it's ridiculous that any suburb does this. Buffalo Grove is too eager to allow this to continue.

Like others posting, I also wonder about this 'outreach ministry' with the white uniforms that look like a band director's uniform or a nurse's uniform. Just how legit are these people?

Soon enough we will have destitute people trying to wash your windshield at intersections./as in Mexico/ or steal your watch when you stop at traffice lights/ as in brasil/. 0r shoot you and steal your care/ as in south chicago/! Those outreach guys. Probably gang members in all Likely hood

The government will soon put a stop to those people soliciting money at street corners. It is not an issue of safety, but one of competition for our money. The government wants to redistribute our income as they see fit, not as we see fit.

There are already people in the city trying to wash windshields for money. What a rip! I don't think anyone should be allowed to solicit at intersections - anywhere. In the first place it is dangerous. They walk in the middle of the street and almost dare you to hit them. In the second place, how do we know who they really are? They stand out there with a vest on and a bucket in their hand asking every stopped car for money. It isn't like a motorist can ask to see their license or permit to solicit.

As the Republicans attempt to chip away (with a sledgehammer) at community outreach, social services and other methods of helping the mentally ill, disabled and unemployed....you should expect to see more of this should they succeed.
You won't just be turning down individual solicitors, entire families will be out on the street. Oh, I forgot the elderly. Grandma will be out there too.
As you drive or walk by, don't consider that entitled feeling you always to be a virtue....it surely isn't.

Feel free to give whatever you want to those "community outreach" shakedown artists at each intersection! The more you give the more of them will be coming up from the south suburbs to "collect". For the legitimate occasional charities. I'm happy to give. The general degradation of life styles is directly related to the liberal politicians promotion of food stamps welfare and never ending unemployment benefits. "Redistribution" as mr Obama puts it......

How many of the Charities on the Streets and Grocery store door ways also get Funds from UNITED WAY

After the Election those corners will be needed for people selling Apples and Pencils

Do the Street Wise people have a license to sell Street Wise ?

No solicitors, please!!

Need to stop people putting resturant ads in mailboxes.

It's hard enough to text while driving without having to drive around these beggars.

All I know is if I was out there trying to raise money to pay my childs medical bills, a police officer would tell me I am not allowed to because it is too dangerous. If I want to donate to them I would. How about create a fundraising event instead of harassing people while waiting for the light to change?