CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2021) — Today, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) issued the following statement on the passage of the Native Plants Gardens Registry Ordinance (O2021-362) during today’s Chicago City Council Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy meeting:
“Today, the City moved an important step closer to cultivating native plants and sustainable landscapes for Chicagoans of every ward. Native plants benefit everyone and can be key to reducing urban flooding and run-off, sequestering carbon, cooling summer heat and hosting important species of birds and butterflies.
“A citywide native garden registry will reduce unwarranted citations and encourage Chicagoans to adopt native plants and their benefits throughout the city. We extend our appreciation to Alderperson Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward-Chicago) for his leadership in this exciting victory.”
The proposal would create a new Managed Native Garden Registry, protecting citizens who follow sustainable landscaping practices from enforcement actions under the current Weed Ordinance and promoting the sustainable landscaping practices that contribute to the health and vibrancy of Chicago.
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