Chickens May Be In Woodridge For Good After Positive Feedback From Residents, Neighbors

WOODRIDGE, IL — The Woodridge plan commission will meet Monday to discuss an ordinance that would permit residents to keep chickens on their property. The proposed ordinance comes after an 18-month pilot program that allowed chicken-keeping in the village.

The pilot program launched in April 2024 and concluded on Oct. 5, 2025 after a survey of 527 residents indicated 61 percents were in favor of hen coops being permitted a village residences, per village documents. In early October, the pilot program was granted a 90-day extension, so village staff could discuss future actions.

Village staff drafted a hen-keeping ordinance in early November. Per the proposed ordinance, approved homes must register and undergo inspections annually.

According to planning commission documents, feedback from the pilot program was mostly positive. Residents reported easy maintenance, infrequent illness among their chickens and "plenty of" egg production.

The program was also well-received by neighbors, records show. During a feedback study session, some residents expressed that they had "gotten to know their neighbors better through keeping hens," per plan commission notes.

The ordinance, which will retain the regulatory language of the pilot program, has received a positive recommendation for the plan commisison to approve the ordiance for review by the village board. Fee structures for permits and registration are set to be forthcoming.

The Woodridge plan commission will review the ordinance Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.