An interactive breakdown of the Village's contract with Republic Services.
Current Monthly Rate
As of October 1, 2025, your rate is:
$30.08
This rate is per household, per month, and is billed quarterly by Republic Services. The rate is set to increase by 4% annually on October 1st through 2027.
The 2021 Billing Change
The most significant change for residents in the 2021 contract was the transfer of billing responsibility from the Village to the contractor. This was a key goal for the Village to remove the administrative burden and financial risk of billing and collections.
BEFORE October 1, 2021
You paid the Village of Bourbonnais.
Billing was included with your monthly sewer bill.
The Village was responsible for all customer service, collections, and bad debt.
AFTER October 1, 2021
You pay Republic Services directly.
Billing is sent quarterly (paying ahead for 3 months).
Republic Services handles all customer service, collections, and financial risk.
Your Included Services
The core services provided to residents have remained consistent through all contract renewals. Your monthly rate covers the following:
Weekly Trash
Weekly curbside collection using a 96-gallon toter (a 65-gallon alternative is available).
Bi-Weekly Recycling
"Every other week" curbside collection using a 96-gallon toter.
Seasonal Yard Waste
Weekly pickup from April 1st through November 30th. Must be in paper yard waste bags or marked containers.
Bulk Waste
Pickup for one large item (e.g., furniture, appliance) per household, per week.
Key Changes in the 2021 Contract
The 2021 7-year renewal (Ordinance 21-2267) was not a simple extension. It included several major operational and financial changes that were key factors in the Village's approval, benefiting both the Village administration and residents.
Transfer of Billing & Risk
A primary goal for the Village was to remove the administrative and financial burden of billing. As of Oct. 1, 2021, Republic Services assumed all billing, customer service, collections, and bad debt risk, which was previously handled by the Village.
Rate Freeze & Reduction
In exchange for the 7-year term, residents received two direct financial benefits:
An 18-month rate freeze at the 2020 level ($25.71).
A reduced annual increase from 5.0% to 4.0%.
Expanded Municipal Services
The contract included *more* services for the Village municipality at no extra cost, including:
Increase in free roll-off boxes for Public Works from 24 to 65 per year.
New event sponsorship with trash/recycling for Village festivals.
Clear Collection Rules
To enable third-party billing, the Village passed Ordinance 21-2263. This update affirmed the rules for non-payment, including late fees and a $25 fee to reinstate service and return bins after an account is suspended.
How the 2021 Contract Was Approved
The 2021 contract renewal was discussed and voted on in public meetings over several months. Here is the procedural timeline based on public meeting minutes:
Feb 17, 2021: Utility Committee Review
Administrator Van Mill and Ernie Lopez (Republic) presented the 7-year contract proposal. Key terms discussed were: Republic takes over billing, 18-month rate freeze, and a reduced annual increase of 4% (down from 5%). The committee agreed to approve the proposal and move it to the full board.
Feb 24, 2021: Finance Committee Discussion
The Village Attorney noted that to allow Republic to handle billing, the Village's own "Chapter 14" (Garbage & Trash) ordinance first needed to be updated to comply with current laws regarding third-party collections.
Mar 1, 2021: Village Board Meeting
The Village Board voted to adopt Ordinance 21-2263, which updated Chapter 14. This was the necessary legal step required *before* the new waste contract could be approved.
Mar 15, 2021: Village Board Meeting
The new contract with Allied Waste/Republic (Ordinance 21-2267) was presented to the board for its official "First Reading."
Apr 5, 2021: Village Board Meeting
After a "Second Reading" and final summary, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously (5-0) to adopt Ordinance 21-2267, finalizing the 7-year contract.
Full Contract & Rate History (2010-2028)
The Village has maintained a long-term franchise agreement with Allied Waste (now Republic Services) through three major contracts. Each has been approved unanimously by the sitting Village Board.
Download Full Contracts
View the full scanned ordinances and contract agreements provided by the Village.
The current 7-year contract (Ordinance 21-2267) is set to expire on December 31, 2.028. Based on the analysis of the 2010, 2015, and 2021 contracts, here are key recommendations for the Village to consider as it prepares for the next negotiation, which will likely begin in 2027.
1. Issue a Formal RFP & Conduct Competitive Analysis
While the long-term partnership with Republic Services has provided consistent service, the 2015 and 2021 contracts were extensions negotiated directly. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process is critical. This process should also include:
An extensive review of contracts in border towns (e.g., Kankakee, Bradley) and several northern Illinois communities to benchmark pricing, services, and annual increase mechanisms.
This analysis will ensure that Bourbonnais's next contract provides residents with, at minimum, the same (if not better) benefits for a comparable cost, strengthening the Village's negotiating position.
The RFP allows the Village to formally evaluate other haulers, their services, and their technological capabilities (e.g., billing systems, customer service apps).
2. Tie Annual Increases to Inflation (CPI)
The 2021 contract's fixed 4.0% annual increase was an improvement over the previous 5.0% rate. However, a 4% fixed rate can be significantly higher than the actual rate of inflation in many years.
Consider negotiating a variable rate tied to a standard economic indicator, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
A common mechanism is "CPI-U (Midwest), with a floor of 1% and a ceiling of 4%." This protects residents from high inflation while protecting the hauler from economic losses.
This approach ensures that rate increases are justified by actual, measured increases in operating costs (fuel, labor, etc.).
3. Re-evaluate the Exclusive Franchise Model
The Village has operated under a single, exclusive provider for at least 15 years. The Village could explore an "open market" system, which would end the exclusive franchise and allow multiple licensed haulers to compete for individual residents' business. This often lowers prices but can increase truck traffic and road wear.
4. Conduct Proactive Citizen Outreach
Well before the 2027 negotiations, the Village should seek direct feedback from residents to see what they value most. This could be done through:
Public surveys (online or mailed) to gauge satisfaction with the current provider, price, and services.
Town hall meetings (in-person and virtual) specifically dedicated to the waste contract.
This feedback is crucial for building the RFP and guiding negotiations (e.g., do residents want weekly recycling? Is an electronic/hazardous waste program needed?).
5. Strengthen Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
The next contract should include clear, enforceable penalties for a failure to perform services. This protects residents from missed pickups or poor service. Examples include:
A defined window (e.g., 24 hours) to correct a missed pickup after being notified.
Financial penalties (liquidated damages) paid to the Village or credited to the resident for repeated service failures.
Clear standards for customer service response times (e.g., phone wait times).
6. Explore "At-Your-Door" Service Options
Many modern contracts include "at-your-door" collection for household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics, which are difficult for residents to dispose of properly. The Village should request pricing for this as an "add-on" or included service in the RFP.
Podcast Summary
Listen to a short audio summary of the key contract points and billing changes.
Video Overview
Watch a brief video overview of the waste services and what's included in your rate.