Sign the Petition to Allow Residents to Raise Chickens in Elmhurst

Change.org|The Proven Petition Site

Some residents in Elmhurst are urging our local City Council to change their policy which would allow residents to keep chickens on their property. It is a good idea that needs to happen.  I believe my Alderwoman, Dannee Polomsky, is the sponsor of this measure - which would allow Elmhurst residents to keep a small number of chickens on their residential property.  Kudos to her for taking the lead on this issue.

I whole-heartedly support this and if you live in Elmhurst urge you join me and sign the petition.

Besides all the benefits outlined on the petition page (which frankly are fine), there are 2 dynamics that are at play in my mind:

1.  Individual property rights.  The long arm of the government shouldn't be reaching into my backyard.  I understand the nuisance aspects, but if I want to keep chickens, I should be able to keep chickens.

2.  The time for this has come.  Elmhurst isn't exactly a pioneer when it comes to allowing us residents to keep chickens.  Do a simple Google search and you'll see this is a commonly-held practice across the country.  Want proof?  Well...does the fact that Williams-Sonoma (yes...those guys selling upscale kitchen wares) sells a $1300 chicken coop convince you that this is mainstream?  It should.

Let the people have chickens!  Cage free, Farm Fresh!

(NOTE:  I've been pestering Nat for years that we should have chickens.  The answer has always been the same:  "no".  Doesn't mean I won't keep working on her!  But...the fact that I don't like eggs works against me.  But...I don't love tomatoes, either.  And we grow hundreds of those!)