City Council maintains gas leaf blower ban, explores alternative support for small landscaping companies

City Council voted against pausing Evanston’s gas- and propane-powered leaf blower ban at its Monday night meeting. The proposal arose after many local landscaping businesses said they have faced challenges transitioning to electric blowers. The resolution, recommended by the Human Services Committee at its March 4 meeting, would have paused the gas blower ban between March 18 and April 8. The three-week moratorium would give city staff and councilmembers time to implement other solutions to ease the transition, Ald. Juan Geracaris (9th) said. “It’s going to take work,” he said....