Politics & Government
There's Still Time for Condo Trash Rebates, Alderman Says
Calling all Lincoln Park condominium owners: The city has extended the deadline for its Condo Refuse Rebate program from Dec. 31 to Jan. 15. See what you need to do to save what a local alderman said may amount to "hundreds, if not thousands."
Lincoln Park condominium building managers who pay for private trash pickup have a little more time to ask the city to reimburse their costs.
The deadline to apply for the city's Condominium Refuse Rebate program, which typically closes on Dec. 31 each year, has been extended through Jan. 15. Owners of condo buildings with four or more units can still contact their local ward representatives to obtain the proper paperwork and turn it in before the deadline.
Aldermanic offices process the applications and pass them along to the city's finance committee for approval.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"If you're in a condo building and you're having to pay for private refuse pickup, the city reimburses you for that, because essentially they want to make sure that everybody is getting their garbage picked up," 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack said.
He said his office his office typically received at least a dozen late applications each year, so he was glad to see the city grant a two-week extension to the deadline.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more Lincoln Park stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here.
Certain buildings are exempt from the rebate program, particularly those that qualify for city trash pickup and thus don't have to pay for a private service. There are also further limitations imposed by the finance committee which limit eligibility.
"The new administration is kind of phasing out new people that could apply for it," Waguespack said. "So it's a little bit of a catch to it."
According to the Finance Committee's website, only owner-occupied units that received rebates between January of 2009 and November of 2011 can receive them this year. The site also states that the program will be phased out in 2016. No rebates will be issued for trash costs incurred after Dec. 31, 2015.
Waguespack said his office works primarily with condominium associations and management companies to get the forms in because it can lead to significant savings for some of them.
He said his office communicates with neighborhood organizations and chambers of commerce to get the word out, in addition to posting flyers and including information about the rebates in his e-mailed newsletters.
"Some of them save hundreds of dollars, if not thousands," Waguespack said. "It adds up. If you're a condo board, it's just one of those small things that helps your bottom line, your assessments or whatever you're paying."
