Resident Information

building permits | code enforcement | freedom of information | meetings
officials & staff | overnight parking | pet licenses | recycling plan
refuse collection | sprinkling restrictions | televised board meetings
vehicle licenses | village offices | voter registration | yardwaste

VILLAGE OF LA GRANGE ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS & STAFF (top)

VILLAGE OFFICES (top)

VILLAGE OF LA GRANGE
BOARD - COMMISSION - COMMITTEE
MEETINGS (top)

Listed below are the days on which the Village Board and various commissions/committees meet. All meetings are held at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 South La Grange Road, La Grange, IL 60525 and begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Please call the Village offices to verify the meeting is scheduled before attending. Further information regarding these meetings may be obtained by calling the Village Clerk=s office at (708) 579-2316.

TELEVISED BOARD MEETINGS (top)

Community messages and the monthly Village calendar are also broadcast regularly throughout the month on Channel 6.

REFUSE COLLECTION (top)

-- once-a-week curbside collection of general refuse, recyclables, and seasonal yard waste on the following schedule:

--addresses north of 47th Street, Mondays
--addresses south of 47th Street, Thursdays

-- "Pay per container" charge; a sticker must be affixed to each 34-gallon container (your own can or bag) of general refuse. Each container may not exceed 60 pounds in weight. The cost of each sticker is $3.50 and may be purchased in any quantity desired and are available at several locations including the local Jewel and Dominick’s food stores, the 7-11 store on 47th/LaGrange Rd, DeVries Grocery, LaGrange White Hen, Horton’s and Bev’s, 5 Sawyer.

-- You will receive no bills from the Village for garbage collection.

-- No charge for recycling. The bins the Village distributed to each home are to remain with the home for each successive owner. Replacement bins are available at Village Hall and at Public Works.

-- Bulk items including furniture and household appliances will be collected once each month on your regular garbage day and must display one sticker. Carpeting should be cut into 2 ft. rolls not weighing more than 50 lbs., secured with twine or duct tape and requires one sticker per roll.

-- Special pick-ups (such as for lumber or other construction material) must be scheduled with the hauler, BFI, at an additional cost by calling 708/345-7050.

-- For large quantities of extra trash where a dumpster may be required, the resident should contact any one of the Village's licensed haulers. For a listing of contractors, call the Village at 579-2300.

-- Holidays: Collection will be delayed by one day for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

-- By ordinance, containers may be placed out for collection after 5:00 p.m. the day before collection is scheduled and must be removed from the Village parkways no later than 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.

-- Optional "back door collection" is available at an annual cost in addition to the stickers which still must be displayed on your containers. Call BFI to establish this service, 345-7050.

-- Optional “toter” service; BFI will supply subscribers with a 95-gallon wheeled container. Residents will be billed a monthly charge directly by BFI for this service.

-- Plastics; most plastic bottles with resin labels on the bottom identified as PETE 1 or HDPE 2 are acceptable, including milk and water jugs, pop bottles, laundry product containers. All bottles should be rinsed and caps removed. Please do not include containers from hazardous waste such as motor oil or antifreeze.

-- Aluminum and bi-metal cans; all metal food and beverage cans are acceptable. Please rinse out all cans and remove labels if possible.

-- Corrugated cardboard and chipboard; corrugated cartons should be cut down to 3' x 3' and should be free of food waste. Chipboard containers include boxes from cereal, crackers, rice, soda.

-- Glass; all types of clear and colored glass bottles and jars are acceptable. Containers should be rinsed out and lids removed.

-- Newsprint; newspapers should not be bundled and should be placed in the bottom of the bin so fly-away papers do not become a problem on windy days. Magazines, catalogs, phone books, and junk mail are also acceptable.

III. Yard waste: Effective July 1, 1990, state law prohibited the disposal of yard waste at sanitary landfills. State compost facilities have been established for the disposal of yard waste which includes leaves, grass, branches, brush and all garden debris. Landscape waste collection will be provided by BFI between April 1 and November 30.

Residents who choose to dispose of yard waste through this program are required to purchase stickers which identify the contents in the bag or container as yard waste. Landscape waste stickers are green and cost $3.50 each. Residents may opt to use a re-usable container such as a plastic or rubberized 32-gallon can or may purchase 30-gallon biodegradable brown paper bags. Plastic bags of any kind are not acceptable. One sticker must be affixed to each container put out for pickup.

IV. Additional information: The Village's yard waste collection program does not affect the traditional leaf collection in the fall. The Village offers an opportunity for residents to dispose of leaves in the FALL ONLY at no cost to the resident. Leaves may be raked to the curb and street gutters to be removed by the Village's Public Works Department. Leaves should not be bagged for disposal in this manner, and no yard waste stickers are required for this service. Information will be available in the fall when this service begins.

The Village also offers a free brush pick-up service once per month from March through October, during the first full week of the month only. Residents are invited to put brush out for removal including tree branches and shrub trimmings. Please put your brush at the curb, cut ends facing the street (no roots attached please). Branches should not be longer than 6 feet, nor wider than 4 inches in diameter, and should not be bundled. Stumps should be put out with stickers for yard waste removal through the garbage program. Brush not put out in time for the pick-up cannot be left on the parkway all month, as this violates ordinance and the resident may be subject to fines.

Any questions regarding the Village's disposal programs may be directed to the hauler, Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) at 345-7050, or the Village Hall at 579-2300.

Sprinkling Regulations

Even Numbered Addresses: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Odd Numbered Addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

No watering is permitted on Mondays.

To request a variance for newly landscaped lawns, please contact the Department of Public Works at 579-2328.

VILLAGE OF LA GRANGE CURBSIDE RECYCLING PLAN (top)

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR RECYCLABLES The quality of materials is a fundamental element of recycling. To make material processing efficient and cost effective, please observe the following instructions:

NEWSPAPERS

• Newspaper and newspaper advertisements are acceptable
  
• Place the newspaper loosely on the bottom of the bin
  
• Please don't bundle the newspaper
  
• Magazines and catalogues, phone books, Ajunk@mail (mixed papers) high-grade paper

MIXED FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

• Rinsed glass bottles and jars, aluminum and bi-metal cans, tin cans, and plastic bottles #1 PETE and #2 HDPE; #3 PVC plastic bottles: e.g., certain health and beauty bottles; #4 LDPE plastic containers: e.g., certain yogurt, cottage cheese and other miscellaneous dairy products, etc.; #5 PP Plastic containers: e.g., certain dairy product containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, etc.; #6 PS plastics: foamed food grade: e.g., hot plates, coffee cups, meat trays, egg cartons, foamed packing grade: e.g., packing material used to protect consumer goods; packing peanuts; clear and colored non-foam: e.g., deli and salad containers, cottage cheese cups, yogurt cups, etc. (Another outlet for the packing peanuts is Mail Boxes, Etc. They will be happy to accept used peanuts. Just put them in a plastic garbage bag, close securely and take them to Mail Boxes, 106 West Calendar Court.); #7 plastics: e.g., plastic packaging; formed steel containers: e.g., decorative and cookie tins; and all types of plastic bags.
  
• Remove and discard all lids from all bottles and jars
  
• Clean aluminum foil and pie tins are acceptable
  
• Toys and bottles contaminated with motor oil or hazardous chemicals are NOT acceptable

CARDBOARD

• Corrugated cardboard and single layer chipboard (such as cereal boxes) are acceptable
  
• Wet strength cardboard: e.g., frozen food boxes, beer and pop carriers
  
• Aseptic packaging and gable-topped containers: e.g., juice boxes, milk cartons, juice cartons
  

HOW TO LOAD YOUR BIN

Place lightweight plastic items and papers in the bottom of your recycling bin to avoid having them blow away. Please make sure all containers have been rinsed clean; continue to discard caps and lids. Also, remember to flatten as many items as possible. Any non-recyclable materials will be left at the curb.

CODE ENFORCEMENT - TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR PROPERTY (top)

The Village of La Grange has implemented a Systematic Code Enforcement program in a continual effort to upgrade its appearance and general maintenance standards. The Code Enforcement Officer of the Village of La Grange periodically makes an inspection of the exterior of each property in the Village and will inventory any property maintenance violations in need of correction. Property owners will be notified of any deficiencies.

We appreciate the fact that so many residents take pride in their property by maintaining it free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage, and by keeping their principal and accessory structures in good repair, free of deterioration, peeling paint and broken windows or dilapidated gutters.

The upkeep of your lawn and flower beds is essential to property maintenance. It is in violation of Village ordinance to permit weeds or grass to grow to a height exceeding 10 inches; offenders will be serviced with a ANotice of Violation@.

Your cooperation and compliance in these matters will be greatly appreciated. The Village hopes that you will join in the ongoing community effort to maintain the beauty of La Grange by taking pride in the maintenance of your property.

Community Development Department: 708/579-2320

BUILDING PERMITS (top)

The Community Development Department protects structure and property standards through the enforcement of building, electrical, plumbing codes and the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of La Grange. All construction and remodeling, including fences, swimming pools and accessory buildings are inspected for compliance with minimum code requirement.

The following examples are presented as a guideline only to assist the homeowner in determining whether a building permit is required. For further information, please call (708) 579-2320. The Community Development Department is located at 53 South La Grange Road, first floor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NO PERMIT REQUIRED

• Insulate or weather strip
• Install storm doors or windows
• Add to or improve landscaping
• Painting
• Install awnings or shades (residential only)
• Replace existing furnace with same type
• Replace existing flooring
• Sealcoat a driveway
• Replace windows (same size)

PERMIT REQUIRED - ISSUED OVER THE COUNTER

• Add or replace gutters or downspouts
• Add or replace siding
• Masonry or tuckpointing
• Install central air conditioning
• Repair or replace roof
• Add or replace a fence or section of a fence
• Water service repair or replacement
• Sewer repair or replacement
• Resurface driveway
• Add or replace public walk or apron

PERMIT REQUIRED - REVIEW REQUIRED

• Add or remodel a bathroom
• Finish a room in an attic or basement
• Enclose, replace or add a porch or deck
• Add, alter or enlarge a garage or breezeway
• Install a swimming pool (both in-ground and above-ground)
• Add a fireplace
• Add a bay window
• Add or replace private service walks, patio or driveway
• Install a burglar or fire alarm (Police Department)
• Construct an accessory building (shed)
• Replace windows and/or doors if larger in size than original
• Lawn sprinkler systems
• Room addition
• Additions within 5% of maximum building coverage
• Any structural change to a building

VEHICLE LICENSES (top)

Any vehicle, either housed or registered with a LaGrange address, must have a Village license, including business, students, and military. Below is a schedule of fees. No refunds are allowed.

Please note that there is a reduced rate of $5.00 for senior citizens, ambulatory handicapped citizens, and ex-prisoners of war. To qualify for the reduced rate, the following requirements must be met. There will be no exceptions.

Senior Citizens
1. Proof of birth date - must be 65 years or older by the last business day of April.
2. One senior discount per family.

Ambulatory Handicapped Individuals and Ex-Prisoners of War
1. State of Illinois vehicle registration indicating person is ambulatory handicapped or an ex-prisoner of war.
2. One discount per ambulatory handicapped person or ex-prisoner of war.

New Residents
New residents have 30 days from the day they move in to the Village to purchase their licenses without penalty.

BY ORDINANCE, ALL LICENSES MUST BE DISPLAYED BY APRIL 30TH. STATE OF ILLINOIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION MAY BE REQUESTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

DOG AND CAT LICENSES (top)

All dogs and cats in the Village of La Grange that are more than three months old are required to be licensed. Proof of rabies vaccination is required at the time of purchase. Licenses cost $10.00 per year per animal, both male and female, and must be purchased by April 30th each year. No refunds will be allowed. The fine for failure to purchase an animal license is $10.00 for each offense. New residents have 30 days from the date they move in to purchase a license without penalty. Licenses are available in the Finance Department of the Village Hall at 53 South la Grange Road, lower level. Hours are weekdays only, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further information, please call the Village Hall at 708/579-2300.

OVERNIGHT PARKING PROHIBITED (top)

If you have a special problem or an overnight guest, street parking will be permitted on an individual basis, one night at a time with a maximum of five nights per month. This can be accomplished by calling the La Grange Police Department’s non-emergency number 708/579-2333.

VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION (top)

Citizens of the United States 18 years of age or older and residing in Cook County may register to vote at the Village Hall during business hours. Two pieces of identification, including one with a current address (although neither need be a picture ID) must be presented in order to register. No registration will take place 30 days prior to an election. For additional information, please call 708/579-2316.

VILLAGE OF LA GRANGE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (top)

Any person requesting records of the Village of La Grange may make such a request either in person at the office of the Village Clerk or in writing to the Village Clerk at 53 South La Grange Road, P.O. Box 668, La Grange, IL 60525

officials & staff | village offices | meetings
televised board meetings | refuse collection | recycling plan
code enforcement | building permits | vehicle licenses | pet licenses
overnight parking | voter registration | freedom of information