News

The City of West Chicago recently approved a new refuse hauler contract with Groot Industries, Inc., following a thorough evaluation of proposals submitted from different haulers. The contract, which was presented and approved by the City Council on November 4, 2024, will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Under the new agreement, 2025 rates will reflect an inflation adjustment, with future increases capped at 4% per year to ensure long-term affordability. Over the seven-year term, residents are projected to save $1.2 million compared to the other submitted proposal, while continuing to receive reliable, high-quality service from Groot without any changes or disruptions to their current service.

“We are committed to providing the best service at the most affordable price for West Chicago residents,” said Mayor Ruben Pineda. “This contract delivers savings while maintaining the high standards our community deserves.”

Key Benefits of the New Contract & 2025 Rates

In addition to expected savings of $1.2 million over the next several years, the agreement includes the following key benefits:

• Senior Rates: The City negotiated the lowest senior rates of surrounding municipalities, ensuring affordable waste collection for West Chicago’s senior residents.
• Sustainable Waste Services: Residents will continue to benefit from free electronic waste drop-off at 1995 Powis Road every Saturday. Additionally, the rate for the dual-purpose yard waste/compost cart annual subscription has been reduced from $225 to $200, making composting more affordable.
• Continuance of Special Programs: The new contract ensures that programs such as bulk item collection week, holiday tree collection, and free leaf collection will continue without additional costs to residents.

The agreement includes an inflation adjustment for 2025, with future rates capped at 4% annually, providing residents with a clear understanding of future costs. The following rates will go into effect on January 1, 2025: