Du Quoin to Reconstitute Roadblocks; Six Allowed

The Du Quoin City Council Monday placed on public display an ordinance that would return charitable roadblocks to the streets of downtown Du Quoin.

Ordinance 2012-008-05 amends the current ordinance and says:

Charitable organizations shall be allowed to solicit upon public highways under the following terms and conditions:

The organization must be registered with the Illinois Attorney General.

The term "charitable or beneficent organization" shall denote an organization which in the opinion of the city council exists for the accomplishment of altruistic, religious, charitable, educational or socially beneficial work.

The term "road block" shall denote a fund raising activity wherein a charitable organization, with the approval of the council, stations members of volunteers at various designated intersections within the city for the purpose of soliciting contributions.

It must be at an intersection where all traffic from all directions is required to come to a full stop.

It shall be unlawful for any organization to conduct a road block without first obtaining a permit from the city for such road block, of which only six permits shall be granted a year, excluding the months of December, January, February and March of each year.

The permits will be issued on a first come, first served basis. In the event that more than six organizations apply, a simple lottery will be conducted by the city clerk on the first day of business of the new year, placing the names of all the organizations into a hat, drawing out the names of the first six organizations, which will then be granted the permits.

Only organizations with their principal place of business within the boundaries of District 300 schools can apply.

Organizations have to apply with the city, then post proof of insurance and registration.

Anyone participating will be furnished with a badge, sign or article of clothing which clearly identifies them as a member or volunteer. Any participant must be at least 16 years old.

Every contributor must receive a receipt or token to indicate he made a donation which the contributor can display on the dashboard.

Permits are for one day only.

The council has the right to to deny permission to any organization if the council deems the purpose or the organization are not in compliance. The council did not say if roadblocks will still be allowed this fall or start in 2013.