Des Plaines launches home improvement contest

Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz launched a community beautification contest this week aimed at recognizing homeowners who take pride in their properties.

Through the Curb Appeal Challenge, the mayor is encouraging homeowners to submit their homes for consideration in a contest that will select properties with "best curb appeal" and "most improved curb appeal."

Also as part of the program, four local retailers - two garden shops and two paint stores - will be offering 20 percent discounts on May 3 and 4 to consumers whether they enter the Curb Appeal contest or not.

"I'm trying to find a way to develop a public-private partnership to celebrate homeowners who take great pride in their homes, but also inspire and make it a little bit easier to check a few more things off their list this year," Bogusz said.

Residents who wish to enter the contest can register at desplaines.org/curbappeal or by calling the mayor's office at (847) 391-5301. The deadline to register is June 30. The Des Plaines Garden Club will select finalists from all entries, and the public will be able to vote for the winners online on July 5.

First place winners in each category will receive cash prizes of $1,000, and second place winners will receive $500.

Bogusz said no public tax dollars are being used for the program, which is being funded entirely by Village Bank & Trust.

Coupons for the 20 percent off promotion the first weekend in May can be printed from the city website. The participating retailers are Pesche's Flowers, 170 S. River Road; Lurvey's Garden Center, 2550 E. Dempster St.; Diamond Paint and Home Center, 1795 E. Oakton St.; and Sherwin-Williams Paint, 1530 Lee St.