Doubt Cast On La Grange Leaf Removal Program

LA GRANGE, IL – The La Grange Village Board decided Monday to continue the village's curbside leaf removal program.

But trustees expressed concerns about its drawbacks.

The trustees voted unanimously to pay West Chicago-based Landscape Material and Firewood Sales $72,000 this fall to haul away residents' leaves out of town.

During the board meeting, Trustee Beth Augustine noted the cost of the program, including the $72,000 and the 800 hours village employees spend collecting the leaves. And she said the curbside leaves end up clogging storm drains, worsening the village's drainage problems.

Another disadvantage, she said, was that the program was "terrible for the environment."

"If 2023 has taught us anything, it is that climate change is here," she said. "The hauling of leaves increases the burning of fossil fuels."

She suggested the village look at how other towns are handling the issue. She said fees for yard waste may be a way to incentivize residents to keep their leaves for such things as mulching and composting.

Trustee Glenn Thompson largely agreed with Augustine.

"This program is very antiquated for its time," he said. Of area towns, "only La Grange Park does this program. Everyone else has ended it."

Trustee Lou Gale said the village should consider changes, but urged the board to vote for it for now.

"Otherwise, we would be pulling the rug out from under our residents," he said.

Augustine said, "No one is trying to take an option away for residents."

The village's Environmental Quality Commission has discussed for years the impacts of the leaf removal program on the environment.