Oak Park residents who intentionally defy the new leaf removal program by raking leaves into the street rather than bagging them for collection or keeping them in their yard could be subject to a fine up to $750.
Oak Parkers have been abuzz about the changes to the fall leaf collection that typically runs from late October to early December. Some locals aren’t happy with the decision to require residents to bag leaves for collection.
One resident, Robert Parks, shared a petition with trustees in June, signed by 1,875 residents, asking to delay leaf bagging until 2025. The village board voted 4-3 that night to move forward with the change this fall.
But some residents may resist.
Trustee Brian Straw told the village board back then that he “had some interactions with folks who suggest they intended to engage in some civil disobedience around leaf collection.”
Dan Yopchick, the village’s chief communications officer, said the village has not received any direct communication from residents who intend to defy compliance with the new program. He said village staff has, however, seen some residents expressing their disagreement over the change on social media and in Wednesday Journal’s Viewpoints section.
Oak Park’s village board originally approved requiring residents to bag leaves for collection this fall in a 5-2 vote on April 30, ending the practice of raking leaves into piles in the street. But residents can choose to leave their leaves in the yard as they fall, compost the leaves or place them in a bag or bin to be collected.
What will the village do if they decide to defy the changes by intentionally pushing leaves into the roads?
The first step will be to continue educating residents and landscapers as necessary. In June, Rob Sproule, Oak Park’s public works director, told the board if residents rake leaves into the street, village staff will educate them about the new program and hand out materials to help ensure compliance.
Yopchick said the village is trying to mobilize its staff that are already out on the streets and more likely to see people raking or blowing leaves into the roads, to communicate with residents as necessary. This includes workers from neighborhood services, public works, the police department or the fire department.
The village has also been working to provide education through its newsletters and on its website, Yopchick pointed out. But if someone is found to be intentionally raking leaves into the street, or reported as doing so, the code compliance division of the Neighborhood Services Department may reach out. This division consists of a code compliance manager and six inspectors.
Yopchick said it’s unlikely that residents would be fined initially. But residents who refuse to stop raking leaves into the street could be subject to a fine of up to $750. That’s the highest possible fine, Yopchick pointed out, but fines, if issued, would be determined through the adjudication process.
“Especially in this first year, we’re really prioritizing education and working with people,” he said.
In theory, a resident could get multiple citations or fines. But it’s unlikely early on, Yopchick said, as opposed to a repeat offender year after year.
According to a letter from the village to local property owners, “if yard waste materials or leaves are placed in the street by a landscaper, the property owner where such material originated may be responsible for the removal of the yard waste material or leaves.” Commercial properties and buildings with six or more units are also responsible for their own leaf collection and disposal.
A thin layer of leaves may fall into the street from trees that arch over the roads or after being blown about. The village has already started trying to take care of those and that will continue throughout the collection period, Yopchick said. Leaves intentionally pushed or piled into the street might be different, but he did not confirm whether the village or resident would be responsible for cleaning it up.
Other municipalities in Illinois that have leaf-bagging requirements for collection haven’t seen much of an issue with residents raking leaves into the street instead, Yopchick said. But if it that happens, he emphasized again, the village will focus on educating homeowners and landscaping companies on how to handle the change.