Kane County Reporter

The city of Elgin is considering a new ordinance aimed at reducing single-use items, specifically plastic checkout bags, in the community. The Sustainability Commission has recommended that the city council review a Retail Single-Use Bag Ordinance, which would ban single-use plastic bags and introduce a fee for paper bags at retail stores.

According to the draft ordinance, retail businesses larger than 5,000 square feet would not be allowed to provide single-use plastic checkout bags. Customers who opt for paper bags would be charged a minimum of 10 cents per bag. Additionally, all paper bags offered must contain at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled content.

City staff are currently seeking input from residents and business owners before any decisions are made. Community members can participate by completing a brief survey on the Engage Elgin website at engage.elginil.gov/single-use-bags. The site also offers details about the project timeline, impacted retailers, and access to the full draft ordinance.

Paper copies of both the survey and ordinance will be available through December at several locations: The Centre of Elgin (100 Symphony Way), City Hall (150 Dexter Court), Hawthorne Hill Nature Center (28 Brookside Drive), Gail Borden Public Library (270 N. Grove Ave.), and Gail Borden Rakow Branch (2751 W. Bowes Road).

“Engaging the community early in the process is important,” said Kristin Iftner, the city’s sustainability manager. “We want to hear from as many community members as possible, including residents, local business owners and large retailers, before any recommendation moves forward.”

The survey will remain open through December on Engage Elgin’s website where further updates about the proposed ordinance will be provided.