Daily Herald opinion: West Chicago leaders provide transparency as they consider trash proposal

Nineteen years after West Chicago residents successfully fought plans for a second waste transfer station in the city, a debate over a similar project is heating up.

Lakeshore Recycling Systems, which has a facility for construction and demolition debris at 1655 Powis Road, wants to expand operations at the 28-acre site to include a transfer station for household garbage.

If built, the LRS facility would be just down the street from an existing waste transfer station that another company owns near the intersection of Powis and North Avenue.

We are not yet prepared to take a position on this highly controversial topic until we hear more about the pros and cons. But we do want to take the opportunity to say how impressed we are by the level of transparency West Chicago officials have shown so far.

West Chicago received a formal application from LRS back in September. At that point, the city already had a website devoted to the waste transfer station plan.

The website at westchicago.org/transfer-station provides information that residents can use to educate themselves about Lakeshore's proposal. It also explains the process the company must go through to get approval from the city.

LRS will need to demonstrate the project meets nine criteria, including that the proposed facility is "necessary to accommodate the waste needs" of the area it would serve.

Ultimately, city council members will make the final decision. But first, at least one public hearing is required to review evidence, testimony, and comments from residents. To the city's credit, officials scheduled five nights of public hearings. And, meeting at night allows citizens to attend without having to rearrange their days.

The first two hearings were on Tuesday and Wednesday. Three more are planned for 6 to 10 p.m. tonight and the same hours on Tuesday, Jan. 10, and Thursday, Jan. 12.

City officials have already received many emails from people opposing the proposal. It has been clear the hearings would be well-attended, so officials wisely decided not to hold the hearings at city hall, which likely would be unable to accommodate the large crowds expected. Instead, the first four are at Wheaton Academy. The final one will be at West Chicago Community High School.

LRS representatives started their opening presentation on Tuesday. There will be an opportunity for public comment. The city council has until the middle of March to vote on the proposal.

At times in the past, we have criticized municipalities and school districts for not providing documents. We also have spoken up when taxing bodies have made it difficult for members of the public to participate in meetings.

So, it's only fair that we highlight when a town makes an effort to be transparent. Indeed, it's gratifying to be able to do so.

If history repeats itself, the mood might be contentious over the next few months in West Chicago. But at least residents will have the information they need to understand the issue and whatever action their elected leaders take.

And they'll know they had an opportunity to be heard, whatever the officials decide.