If your Alderman has an email newsletter and you haven’t subscribed to it, you might want to do so.
A number of the Aldermanic newsletters are genuinely useful sources of information about neighborhood happenings, from zoning changes to business openings, to local events and timely reminders about city services.
This morning’s email newsletter from 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman offers this money-saving tip:
This is an important reminder to all multi-unit Homeowner Associations. If your homeowners’ association contracts for independent refuse collection services, you may be entitled to receive a rebate for all or part (up to $75 per unit) of your 2011 costs.
Changes to the rebate ordinance approved by the City Council in 2011 require that applications for the rebate must be submitted to our office as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday January 31, 2012. Per city ordinance, applications must include the following information: Total annual amount paid for refuse collection, number of residential units, letter confirming the contract with the scavenger service, and a notarized statement from the association. Applications received after January 31st will not be accepted by the City.
If you have specific questions about the condo refuse rebate, please email Jerry Goodman at Jerry@48thward.
Is it unique to Chicago that you route a request for a city rebate through your local Alderman and it must be approved by the full city council (pdf)?
The rebate will be phased out by 2016, with the per unit amount being reduced to $50 for 2012 and $25 for 2013, 2014 and 2015.