Interfaith Leadership Project, City of Berwyn Present New Police Policy

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local NewsAfter months of complaints from Berwyn residents and visitors on how police officers were implementing a city policy that deals with unlicensed drivers, ILP and the City of Berwyn, along with the guidance of State Representative Lisa Hernandez, have worked together and reached a compromise on how the City of Berwyn can best protect the safety of the entire community while at the same time recognizing the contributions of the many immigrant families living and working in Berwyn.

After months of meetings and testimonies from the community, the City of Berwyn has implemented a new Policy which will allow Berwyn Police discretion when pulling over an unlicensed driver. Mayor Robert Lovero opened his doors to ILP and worked with us to find a solution that made sense for the community and the City of Berwyn.
Interfaith Leadership Project (ILP) is a community organization with 22 years working in the Cicero and Berwyn suburbs of Chicago in issues of social justice. The eleven member organizations that are members of ILP pay yearly dues include local churches, businesses, a hospital, and community service providers.

The new policy introduced at Monday’s press conference allows the officers to use discretion when pulling over an unlicensed driver. The police officer will now be able to allow the unlicensed driver to call a relative or friend that has a valid driver license to pick up the car in order to avoid the $500 impoundment and the $200+ towing fees. The City of Berwyn also sent its police force to an Ethnic Sensitivity training that will allow them to better understand and serve the community.

This new policy will serve as a model to other communities that have immigrant populations. It also recognizes the contributions of immigrants and is sensitive to many of the challenges that immigrant families face.

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