Even though the new year began yesterday, the holiday is being celebrated in Evanston today at government offices, the library, banks, schools, and many businesses.
The City of Evanston, as a member of the Solid Waste Agency of North Cook County (SWANCC), would like to remind residents that starting immediately, the state will ban televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic items from going into Illinois landfills. Residents are encouraged to recycle these items through SWANCC.
Under the new legislation, only certain materials will be accepted in SWANCC’s recycling program options. For a list of recycling options for items not taken in the programs, such as microwaves, home appliances, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and air conditioners, check the document posted on the city’s website.
Christmas trees will be picked up by the city for the next few weeks, but you must place them in the parkway after being stripped of all foreign material, such as ornaments and tinsel. Trees will be picked up on the same day as your normal refuse and recycling pickup, which this week will be a day later than normal, due to today’s holiday.
Because the trees will be ground into mulch, the city is asking that you do not place your tree in a plastic bag, as that will damage the mulching equipment big time. If you have any questions, call the city at 3-1-1.
And don’t forget to purchase and display the 2012 city vehicle stickers before the January 5 deadline. The $75 fee for the sticker increases to $113 after the fifth, so don’t procrastinate.
If you’re purchasing a vehicle sticker and a residential parking permit (combo sticker), you must either purchase them via mail or in person at the City Collector’s Office at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Monday – Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. And bring your Illinois vehicle registration with you.
Seniors, 65 and older, fulfilling income requirements, are eligible for a 50 percent discount on one vehicle sticker per household by obtaining an Evanston Benefit Card. If you received a discount card last year, it will not be valid this year. Seniors that do not have a current Benefit Card may apply for one at the Levy Center.
Now for the good news: Thanks to a decrease in the sales tax going to Cook County, your purchases from merchants in Evanston are now subject to a sales tax of only 9.25 percent, which is down from 9.5 percent last year. So spend and be happy.