Hanover Park approves five-year refuse franchise; trustees debate senior discount and tote replacement

The Village of Hanover Park Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing a franchise contract for residential refuse collection, disposal and recycling services with Groot (Group Industries Inc.), after a lengthy discussion about senior discounts and service details. The resolution passed on a roll call vote, 4–3.

Board members debated whether the contract should include an age‑based senior discount in addition to the existing needs‑based Benefit Access Program (formerly the Illinois Circuit Breaker). Trustee Van Coley said she was “disappointed…that we’re not meeting the requests of our seniors,” urging the board to consider either adding an age‑based category or increasing outreach so eligible residents claim the existing program. Trustee Gutierrez stressed preserving needs‑based eligibility, saying, “we wanna make sure that it’s needs based…not just age based,” and warned that an age‑based discount would shift costs to other…