River Forest is poised to join a growing list of governments that have passed restrictions on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers or banning them outright. On May 15, the village will take the first step in a five-year phase-in leading to a total ban. The first steps will be to prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 to September 15 and ban fossil-fuel powered generators to operate and charge leaf blowers.
Next steps include restricting use of gas-powered leaf blowers to April, October and November in 2028 and 2029 and a year-round ban starting in 2030.
Village Administrator Matt Walsh said the restrictions apply to contractors and residents.
According to USA Today, more than 200 cities, counties and local jurisdictions – and several states – have either banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, passed restrictions on their use or provided incentives to consumers, landscapers and other companies to purchase electric equipment as an eco-friendlier alternative.
Although the ordinance allows for fines ranging from $50 to $750, officials will start enforcement with a warning and education approach.
“Our intent is to seek compliance rather than citations with sufficient warnings provided to violators before escalating to fines,” Walsh said.
The Village Board approved the phased-in restrictions in July, culminating a series of discussions involving the Sustainability Commission, residents and contractors that began in May 2024.
The purpose of the phased-in approach continues to allow for gas-powered leaf blower use during the fall leaf season and the wetter spring clean-up season, Walsh explained.
“This allows battery technology to continue to progress, while users of leaf blowers are able gain experience with electric leaf blowers or other methods of clearing materials such as grass clippings during the summer months,” he said.
Village President Cathy Adduci noted the lengthy process that led to the decision:
“For several years, the village has explored banning gas-powered leaf blowers as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental protection,” she said. “In 2024, the Sustainability Commission recommended the ordinance be changed as a proactive measure to reduce gas emissions. Following a resident survey conducted before the board’s review, the ordinance was approved unanimously by the Village Board.
“I urge our residents to read the ordinance and understand that this is a phased in approach in order to ensure our businesses can comply.”
The resident survey was created by the Sustainability Commission for the community to provide feedback on gas-powered leaf blowers, which was shared through the village’s communication channels.
The survey was available to residents starting in late September 2024 through early February 2025. There were 315 resident responses and of those, 63% indicated excessive noise from gas-powered leaf blowers was a concern and 74% expressed some level of concern about pollution from these blowers.
Walsh said staff members have continued to communicate with local landscapers since adoption of the ordinance, including providing multiple notices to licensed contractors in the village.
To incentivize landscape companies to switch to electric leaf blowers, the village board also authorized offering a rebate for a year-round commitment in years 2026 through 2029. Contractors making the commitment to electric leaf blowers would receive a reimbursement for their annual license fee of $125 and be listed on the sustainability section of the village website as a company committed to only using electric leaf blowers. So far, the only contractor to make the commitment is INNovation Studio LLC Landscape of St. Charles.
Walsh said staff members spoke with representatives of other municipalities that have already implemented restrictions including next-door neighbor Oak Park, where a total ban took effect in June.
“We did speak with Wilmette municipal staff regarding development, implementation and enforcement of their ordinance,” he said. “We also spoke with Oak Park staff regarding their ordinance.
“Both communities were very helpful in sharing information on enforcement. Wilmette further provided broader context with regard to their Regional Leaf Blower Working Group they undertook with neighboring communities.”
To deter Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using leaf blower usage enforcement as a lure for Hispanics working for landscaping companies, Walsh said staff members will properly identify themselves as village employees for local ordinance enforcement.
“We also will continue monitoring any federal enforcement activity in the area,” he added.
Walsh said residents can make complaints by calling Village Hall at (708) 366-8500 or using the online service request platform on the village website, www.vrf.us.