Politics & Government
Chicago Heights City Council Accepts $15,000 Grant For New Trees
The grant was awarded through the Morton Arboretum, but stipulates the city will have to pass a tree protection ordinance beforehand.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — The city will be getting new, free trees in the upcoming planting season through a Morton Arboretum grant, officials said at last week's city council meeting.
The council voted to accept $15,000 from the south suburban arboretum to fund the entire tree inventory for the year. The money comes from a national grant provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program.
The program, which utilizes the motto "Trees pay us back!", has helped fund diverse forests throughout the state. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 88 percent of Illinois residents live near an urban or community forest.
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The presence of native trees improves air quality, reduces carbon dioxide and increases property values. The money comes with the caveat that the Chicago Heights council will have to pass an ordinance having to do with tree protection before the grant is used up.
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