Is door-to-door soliciting legal in Rockford? Yes, but…

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — As the weather gets warmer, door-to-door solicitors are ramping up their efforts in Rockford, peddling everything from solar panels to petunias.

And while there is nothing wrong with door-to-door sales per se, there are likely many peddlers operating in Rockford who shouldn’t be.

According to Rockford’s Solicitors and Peddlers Ordinance, each door-to-door peddler must obtain a license from the city.

“The solicitors permit is a one-page application,” said Wendy Lara, the city’s customer service manager who oversees the permits. “Applicants must be 21, provide a valid ID, and pass a background check.”

Lara says it’s difficult to determine how many solicitors are going door-to-door without permits, but they are out there. There have only been 10 permits issued in Rockford.

Each vetted solicitors receives a badge from the city, identifying them as a peddler and what they’re selling.

“They should have, at a minimum, our badge, which indicates that they are registered here in the city and able to solicit,” Lara said.

Permits are issued at City Hall’s customer service department and cost $76 to apply. Operating without one can lead to fines of $200 to $500.

“We sometimes get calls asking to verify if a company is registered,” Lara added. “If they are not, we send them a letter that explains that each person going door-to-door from that company must have a permit. If they do not [obtain a permit], then our legal department gets involved and they take over from there.”

Although there haven’t been any complaints this year, Lara advises residents to request proof of a permit before opening their door when a door-to-door salesperson comes calling.

“Just for safety reasons,” she said.

Some Rockford resident have no problem doing business with door-to-door solicitors. Others choose to decline.

“If I want something, I go out looking for it,” said John Jackson. “I’ve done the research. So, if you come to my door, I usually say ‘no.’”

Some homeowners display “no soliciting” signs to deter peddlers, something Lara says is stressed during the permitting process.

“We also inform solicitors that if there is a ‘no soliciting’ sign on the window that they should not engage in any solicitation,” she said.

There are currently eight permit applications pending.