Solicitation

The City’s ordinance, which regulates door-to-door solicitation for commercial, religious, and charitable purposes, is as strong as legally permissible, based on Federal law and Supreme Court decisions protecting First Amendment rights.

Here are the City’s regulations governing door-to-door solicitation in Lake Forest. Religious groups are exempt from many of these regulations, but the City does work with them to know when and where they are in Lake Forest.

All individuals and groups who wish to solicit must file with City Clerk:

•  an Application for Commercial Solicitation Permit (47k - 1 page) or;
•  an Application for Charitable/Religious Solicitation Permit (48k - 1 page)

The fee is $40 for new and $30 for renewal. Individuals need to sign a Consumer/Criminal Reporting Authorization Form (21k - 1 page).  If the application is approved following a check by the Police Department, a permit is issued. Maximum time period is 30 days; permits can be renewed for an additional 30 days upon reapplication.

Names, addresses, and physical descriptions of all solicitors are filed with the Police Department. Charitable and commercial groups are limited to Monday through Saturday solicitation from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round. These hours, as set by Illinois Supreme Court decisions, cannot be further restricted by the City.

A plastic-encased badge with the solicitor’s photograph, issued by the City, must be worn during solicitation. If the solicitor is not wearing a badge, you should immediately call the Police non-emergency number (listed below).