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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Spring Valley Updates Burning Restrictions for Public Safety and Environmental Welfare

Spring Valley, Illinois – July 20, 2023 – The City of Spring Valley, Bureau County, Illinois, has passed Ordinance No. I, amending Chapter 3, Burning Restrictions, of Title 4, Fire Regulations, of the Spring Valley City Code. The updated ordinance aims to enhance public health, safety, and welfare by revising the regulations on burning materials within the city limits.

Background Recitals The City of Spring Valley had previously enacted burning restrictions, codified as Chapter 3, BURNING RESTRICTIONS, of Title 4, FIRE REGULATIONS, in the Spring Valley City Code. To ensure the continued well-being of residents and the environment, the Spring Valley City Council recently conducted a thorough review of these restrictions.

Key Amendments The updated ordinance introduces the following key amendments:

1. Rubbish Burning:

• It is prohibited to burn any materials, except small and dried quantities of branches, leaves, weeds, or grass, at any time other than as specifically allowed by Section 4-3-2 of the Chapter.
• The burning of offensive materials like rubber, tires, tar paper, leather, batteries, or any other substance emitting an unpleasant odor during combustion is strictly prohibited within the City of Spring Valley.

2. Burning Allowed:

• Limited amounts of yard waste material may be burned between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., but only during the Spring (April 1st – May 31st) and Fall (September 1st – November 30th).
• Burning is not permitted on, or adjacent to, any asphalt or paved street.
• No burning is allowed on any day when Hall Township High School hosts home football games.
• Fires must be attended by a responsible person until properly extinguished.
• The smoldering of slow-burning yard waste outside the specified hours and times of year is considered a nuisance and is unlawful.

3. Burn Barrels:

• The use of burn barrels, fine wire mesh, concrete block enclosures, or any other devices for burning garbage, rubbish, or combustible materials is strictly forbidden within Spring Valley’s city limits.

4. Recreational Fires:

• It is not unlawful to have an outdoor fire burning materials other than garbage or rubbish, provided the fuel is contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill, or barbeque pit.
• The total fuel area must not exceed three (3) feet in diameter and two (2) feet in height.
• Recreational fires are allowed for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes.

5. Penalty:

• Violators of the ordinance may face fines ranging from twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) for each offense.

The City Council of Spring Valley, Bureau County, Illinois, presented, passed, and adopted the updated ordinance on July 17, 2023. The ordinance takes immediate effect upon its passage and publication in pamphlet form as provided by law.

For further information or inquiries, please contact the Spring Valley City Hall at 815.664.4221.

ABOUT SPRING VALLEY, ILLINOIS

About the City of Spring Valley: Spring Valley is a vibrant city located in Bureau County, Illinois. The city is committed to safeguarding its residents and the environment while promoting a sustainable and harmonious community. For more information about Spring Valley, visit www.springvalleyil.us.

Bulk Waste Collection Day: Saturday June 24, 2023

• Collection Time Begins at 7:00AM – have your material out by 6:00AM.
• Material will be picked up in the same location as you place your weekly materials.
• Piles are to be no larger than 4′ L X 4′ W X 3′ H.
• Large appliances, electronics and construction materials will not be taken.
• Miscellaneous loose bulk waste should be contained in bags or boxes.
• Questions, please call the City of Spring Valley.

Residents of Spring Valley:

It is disheartening and tragic, but as of June 16, St. Margaret’s in Spring Valley will be closing. As many of you know, a memo from the hospital to staff explaining its dire financial condition is circulating. Similar to the situation in Peru, the hospital in Spring Valley is now pinning its hopes on a last-minute rescue package from the legislature to stay financially afloat. While I still hope that our elected officials at the state level can assist St. Margaret’s, the likely outcome is that similar to Peru, the funding will not materialize, and on June 16 and the hospital will close.

We are incredibly aware of the negative impact this will have on our residents as the hospital closing results in fewer medical services for residents and longer ambulance rides to nearby hospitals when every moment matters. From the beginning, the city council has fought to keep the Spring Valley Hospital open, filing a formal objection with the Illinois agency considering St. Margaret’s petition to close the Spring Valley location. We also contacted Senator Rezin and Representative Yednock, asking them to support our objection. Our attempts to communicate with management at St. Margaret’s Hospital, as its employees know, have been frustrating and futile. The hospital in Spring Valley is not city-owned. We have done everything in our power to avoid this result, but ultimately, the city does not control the hospital.

The city council will continue to reach out to elected officials at the state level and attempt to communicate with the management of St. Margaret’s and OSF to ensure that the residents of Spring Valley can still access the health care they deserve. We will also ask our local ambulance service about their action plan.

We hope that the uncertainty surrounding the situation will resolve itself soon, and further hope that the resolution will include the high level of health care and services the residents of Spring Valley have come to expect.