State officials set meetings on gypsy moth plan

SPRINGFIELD — Agriculture officials are planning four public meetings to discuss plans for treating parts of northern Illinois for the destructive gypsy moth.

The meetings will be at 7 p.m. April 11 in Oswego, April 12 in Rockford, May 9 in Tinley Park and May 16 in Lansing.

The Oswego plan will include 1,256 acres in Saw Wee Kee Park. The Rockford meeting will discuss plans for 3,501 acres north of Interstate 39 on the city’s south side and areas near Shirland.

The May meetings will cover Cook County programs including 8,936 acres in the Tinley Park area and 3,513 acres of forest preserve near Lansing.

They gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feasts on trees and shrubs and leaves them vulnerable to other insect and disease attacks.