Oct 4, 2006 6:24 pm US/Central
Concerns Grow Over Village's Immigration Ordinance
Proposed Bill Has Stirred Deep Emotions On Both Sides Of Debate
by Katie McCall
CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. (CBS) ―
A Chicago suburb is the center of an immigration debate that is stirring up deep emotions on both sides of the issue and a proposed law would put employers and landlords right in the middle of the fray.
CBS 2's North Suburban Bureau Chief Katie McCall reports that the debate is taking place in far northwest suburban Carpentersville and that the business community there is concerned.
About 3,000 people went to Carpentersville Village Hall last night for a meeting on a proposed ordinance which would punish businesses and landlords who employ, do business with or rent to undocumented immigrants.
Trustee Judy Sigwalt says the village plans to enforce laws the federal government ignores.
"My free services, my free lunches, not having to pay taxes -- you know if that was threatened you know I'd probably stand out and come out, too," Sigwalt said.
But some local business owners say the ordinance also threatens them.
"It could be devastating to the entire retail industry," said shopping center manager Frank Scarpelli.
Scarpelli said that every business in town -- even McDonald's -- could be driven out if the law passes.
"If they are caught selling a hamburger to an illegal alien, they would be put out of business for five years in Carpentersville," he said.
The 648 apartments in one village complex are 98 percent occupied, but the complex's manager says they would sit empty if he had to check each tenant's citizenship.
"We just need people to come to Carpentersville [and] be comfortable in Carpentersville," Ollie Bensinger said.
The property's owner said that complying with the ordinance would violate federal fair housing laws.
"We have to rent to anybody, we can't deny them a place to live," owner Greg Bensinger said.
The village is already experiencing a backlash over the ordinance. Its bank says if the ordinance passes, the village's bond rating will be reduced. Its insurance company has threatened to cancel health insurance, and the company that provides legal services says that if the trustees are sued over this ordinance, they will have to pay their own legal fees.
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