BELLAIRE, Ohio -- Bellaire officials passed an ordinance Friday taking action against employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Under the ordinance, which is the first of its kind in Ohio, the penalty imposed on an employer who hires illegal immigrants will be a mandatory fine of $500, imprisonment of not more than six months or both.

"We are just happy for Bellaire being the first town to take action on this very important issue," said Bellaire Police Chief Michael Kovalyk. "They'll know that if they come to Bellaire and they are working illegally, we'll take action against them."

Kovalyk said the idea to have the ordinance started in April when four men were arrested in Bellaire for working illegally.

He said the village is pushing for statewide fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants.

A similar law is already on the books in West Virginia.

-Renee Cardelli & Chandi Lowry, NEWS9