Improve Elmhurst Debris Pickup After Storms To Help Residents: Officials

ELMHURST, IL – A trio of Elmhurst aldermen is calling for the city to do more when picking up branches after the worst storms, citing residents' experience over the summer.

In a memo this week, aldermen Mike Baker, Dan Virgil and Jacob Hill suggested the city improve its level of service to that of other towns, including Wheaton.

They said city crews did an "exceptional" job clearing fallen branches from public parkway trees. But the storms also caused tree damage on private lots.

Under current policy, no matter the type of storms Elmhurst experiences, residents must cut, bundle and limit private debris to fit waste contractor rules.

"Massive, unbundled piles sit on residential edges for weeks, occasionally spilling into streets, blocking driver sightlines, and clogging stormwater drainage inlets," the aldermen said.

They also said senior citizens and disabled residents are particularly vulnerable.

Other towns, they said, successfully deployed citywide emergency sweeps to clear both public and private curbside debris without requiring bundling or tags.

"We propose that the City establish specific, objective criteria for when a special private property curb pickup program would be activated following a severe storm," the aldermen said.

"Amending our storm response to include private property curbside debris collection will enhance public safety, protect our stormwater infrastructure, and provide vital support to Elmhurst residents during community-wide emergencies," they said.

On Tuesday, the City Council plans to vote on whether to assign a committee to examine the issue.