Peotone Makes Village Garbage Service Mandatory for All Residents

Article Summary:

The Peotone Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance that clarifies and solidifies the requirement for all village residents to subscribe to the municipality’s exclusive garbage and recycling provider, Homewood Disposal. The move came after a few residents recently attempted to cancel their service, which is not permitted under the Village Code.

Garbage Service Ordinance Key Points:

• The Village Board amended Chapter 50 of the Village Code to make it explicit that Homewood Disposal is the “exclusive provider” of garbage and recycling services.

• The change mandates that all residents must participate in and pay for the village’s contracted refuse service.

• The ordinance was prompted by recent attempts from a few residents to opt out of the service, which officials say is not allowed and could impact service rates for everyone.

• The village recently approved a new five-year contract with Homewood Disposal, running through June 30, 2030.

PEOTONE, IL — Residents of Peotone are now explicitly required to use the village’s contracted garbage service, after the Village Board passed an ordinance Monday night to eliminate any ambiguity in the municipal code.

The board voted to amend Chapter 50 of the Village Code, which deals with garbage and refuse. The new language clarifies that the village’s chosen scavenger service—currently Homewood Disposal—”shall be the exclusive provider of services to residents for disposal of household garbage, recyclables and rubbish.”

Village Administrator Nick Palmer explained that the “very minor tweak” was necessary after a few residents recently sought to cancel their service, which is not allowed.

“The Village recently was made aware that a few residents were seeking to cancel their residential refuse services which is not allowed by the Village code,” a staff memo stated. “In order to be more clear on what the Village code provides for, the proposed ordinance amends the code language.”

Palmer told the board that the pricing structure with Homewood Disposal is based on the total number of households in the village. Allowing residents to opt out could jeopardize the financial and public health model of the service.

“If you’re in the village you have to pay for the service just because that service is built on that, is bid on that x number of customers,” Palmer said. “This is a very minor tweak but we just, our attorneys thought it would be good to make that change and make it even more clear.”

The village has had a long-standing contractual relationship with Homewood Disposal. At its June 9, 2025, meeting, the board approved a new five-year agreement with the company that runs from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2030. In 2019, the village transitioned billing for the service directly to Homewood Disposal; previously, it had been included in village water bills.

While the ordinance makes garbage and recycling collection mandatory, it does preserve a resident’s right to opt out of yard waste collection, though Palmer noted, “I doubt very many do.”

The board approved the ordinance unanimously.