Mundelein adopts no-idle policy for village vehicles

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and become more energy efficient, the village of Mundelein Public Works and Engineering Department recently adopted a new anti-idling policy.

The highlights of the policy include the elimination of idling when village vehicles are parked for more than 60 seconds and turning off engines at railroad crossings for freight trains.

The policy is effective immediately for all public works and engineering department vehicles, including the larger operational equipment typically responsible for higher fuel consumption.

Along with the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles (i.e. hybrids) for administrative functions, this policy seeks to reduce the department's fuel consumption by 15 percent by the year 2017.

"This policy will guide us in our efforts to become a more fuel efficient organization," said Jerry Hemmerling, vehicle maintenance superintendent.

"By reducing idling the village will benefit environmentally through reduced emissions and financially through reduced fuel and vehicle maintenance costs."

For more information about this and other public works and engineering initiatives, contact Adam Boeche at (847) 949-3270 or pw@mundelein.org.