With no Asian longhorned beetle sightings reported in Addison or Summit for more than three years, the Illinois Department of Agriculture is considering doing away with beetle quarantine zones in both suburbs.
Under the quarantines, first imposed in 1998 after infestations of the destructive insect were discovered, wood from maples, elms, poplars and other beetle host species could not be removed from affected areas.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Environmental Programs has scheduled two public information meetings to discuss the possible quarantine deregulations.
The Addison information session is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 19 at Addison Fire District Station No. 3, 100 N. Rohlwing Rd.
The Summit information meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Summit Municipal Building, 7321 W. 59th St.
A beetle-quarantine area in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood has been extended and recently was expanded after three infested trees were discovered in November.