The Streator City Council is now thinking about not allowing hens in people’s yards. Two residents spoke against the ordinance allowing it at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. Sandy Austin says she’s concerned about several things including predators, cleanliness, and how well the hens would be taken care of.
The updated ordinance would have allowed for up to six hens in a yard for people who haven’t been charged with a property management violation. Mayor Tara Bedei says the city received several calls earlier this year asking to allow chickens in their yard because of the price of eggs. More residents have now been calling saying they are against it. Michelle Proksa also spoke against it at the meeting. No matter what the city wants to update the language in its animal ordinance no matter what to make it more clear what a farm animal is.