Petition to Reject the Proposed Exclusive Waste Management Contract with Republic Services in Jerseyville, Illinois

To: The Mayor and City Council of Jerseyville, Illinois

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Jerseyville, Illinois, strongly oppose the City Council’s consideration of an exclusive contract with Republic Services for residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection services. While we appreciate efforts to improve waste management and potentially reduce costs, we believe that entering into an exclusive agreement with a single provider would harm our community in the following ways:

1.  Limits Consumer Choice: An exclusive contract would force all single-family and multi-family households to switch to Republic Services, eliminating the ability to choose from multiple providers like Community Sanitation or GFL Environmental. This reduces competition, which often leads to better pricing and service quality over time.

2.  Risk of Higher Long-Term Costs: Although initial bids may promise savings, exclusive contracts can create a monopoly-like situation where the provider has little incentive to maintain low rates or high-quality service after the initial term. Residents currently pay between $30 and $45 per month for trash services; we fear locked-in increases without alternatives.

3.  Impact on Local Businesses and Jobs: Favoring one large national company like Republic Services could disadvantage smaller local haulers, potentially leading to job losses and reduced economic diversity in our area.

4.  Lack of Flexibility: Not all households have the same needs for recycling or yard waste. An exclusive contract mandates participation in a one-size-fits-all system, which may not suit everyone and could lead to unnecessary fees or inconveniences.

5.  Insufficient Public Input: The public meeting held on January 20, 2026, at City Hall was a step in the right direction, but many residents feel the process has been rushed without adequate time for feedback or consideration of alternatives to an exclusive arrangement.

We urge the City Council to reject this proposed exclusive contract with Republic Services and instead explore non-exclusive options that preserve competition, protect consumer rights, and ensure the best possible services for Jerseyville residents. Keep our waste management market open and accountable!

Signed: