Boy Scout Addresses Village Board Regarding Lack Of No-Idling Law

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Edgar Pagnotto is concerned about air quality in Arlington Heights. Wearing his Boy Scouts of America uniform, he questioned the Village Board Monday night regarding the absence of a no-idling law.

"Why doesn't Arlington Heights create and enforce a no-idling policy instead of just recommending it, especially around different parks and schools?" Pagnotto said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Idling refers to running a vehicle's engine when the vehicle is not in motion. In addressing Pagnotto's question, Mayor Tom Hayes pointed out that the Village does have an idle-free initiative, which invites drivers in the community and Village employees to reduce idling. Vehicle emissions are the largest contributor to outdoor air pollution, according to the initiative, and the Village has placed Idle Free signs in some key areas where idling may occur.

"We do have an education campaign where we try to get people to that it's better to turn your car off around parks and schools, but to be totally candid, we probably haven't done a lot of promotion of that program in recent months and years," Village Manager Randy Recklaus added. "I think this is a good reminder for us and the communications team to step that up."

Recklaus said it is difficult to enforce the ordinance due to the lack of police officers

The effects of idling less (from the Village of Arlington Heights' Idle Free Initiative)

• Reduced fuel consumption
• Environmental protection
• Enhanced community health
• Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it.
• Research suggests that if each car in the U.S. idles 6 minutes a day, 3 billion gallons of fuel is wasted.
• A vehicle idling for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to drive 5 miles.
• Excessive idling can result in fuel not undergoing complete combustion, increasing fuel consumption.

What can you do?

• Turn off your engine while waiting longer than 10 seconds
• Reduce the amount of time you let your vehicle "warm up."
• For temperature control inside your vehicle, driving is the best way to reach your preferred temperature
• Consider alternative forms of transportation such as walking, riding a bike or taking public transportation
• Spread the word to friends and family and invite them to think of ways they could reduce idling.

"One of the things you can do Edgar, with your classmates, is encourage your parents and the parents of your classmates as well to turn off their cars when they're just sitting idle and get the word out that way," Hayes said.

Trustee Mary Beth Canty thanked Pagnotto for addressing the Village Board.

"It takes a lot of courage when you're not an adult and speak to the people who represent you," Canty said. "We all appreciate you doing that."

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