Bird feeders still OK under proposed Elk Grove wildlife feeding ban

You can still feed the birds in Elk Grove Village, but it soon may be against the law to feed any other wild animals in town.

The village board is considering revisions to an ordinance so that it would prohibit feeding wildlife - with the exception of birds - in an effort to discourage rodents and other vermin from feasting in backyards.

The existing ordinance prohibits the feeding of wildlife from the ground, but the village board is expected to change the ordinance to also prohibit feeding anywhere a dish is placed, such as a backyard table or chair.

"A loophole is what we're closing," said Trustee Jeff Franke during a village board committee meeting Tuesday. "People are saying we have an ordinance against this, but because I don't put it on the ground, I can still do it."

Village officials began considering changes to the ordinance months ago after a dispute arose between neighbors over a squirrel feeder hanging from a tree. Technically, the feeder wasn't on the ground, so the ordinance was difficult to enforce, said Mary Jo Pye, the village's director of community development.

Four out of six village board members this week expressed preference for the ordinance revisions, to be voted on formally at the next board meeting Oct. 13.

But Trustee Chris Prochno said she believes the ordinance is discriminatory because it permits feeding birds, not other animals. She said many people put food out in the morning for feral cats, then take it away before dusk so other animals don't get to it.

And Trustee Pat Feichter said he doesn't believe it's a major problem.

But Franke said he has heard complaints, and has lived next to people who have fed animals.

"It's hurting other people's properties," he said. "It's affecting their neighborhoods."

Pye said the village receives eight to 10 wildlife feeding complaints a year.