Crews clear streets of tons of leaves

Elgin Public Works employee Chris Becker proved that even when you have the biggest, baddest machinery at your disposal, you still need a simple rake to clean up leaves.

Crews were on the city’s southeast side Thursday continuing the monster task of removing all the leaves from streets since residents push them into the street for collection rather than bagging or burning.

City trucks scooped up load after load of leaves into waiting Waste Management trucks to be hauled away and eventually composted.

Becker, who lives in Elgin, is a five-year employee with public works.