Sauganash Community Association Member Services

The Sauganash Community Association (“SCA”) was founded in 1922 by community residents with the purpose of uniting residents to promote and contribute to the common good. As such, the association continues to function today within the community to:

 Preserve the integrity of the community’s architecture and overall general appearance.

• Provide valuable services within the community such as seasonal mosquito abatement and supplemental snow plowing services.
• Advocate civic, social, recreational and environmental functions such as LaBagh Woods and Sauganash Trail nature preservation, Fourth of July Parade and Picnic celebration, Bob Perkaus Memorial 5K, annual SCA Open Meeting and membership appreciation events.
• Serve as liaison with local schools, parks and library on public institution issues and policies that affect the community.
• Encourage legislation and participation in government administrative proceedings related to the community (i.e., O’Hare noise and expansion).
• Encourage improvements and protection and maintain zoning laws within the community (i.e., promote residential and commercial development, liaison to 17th Police District, 39th Ward Alderman’s Office and local city government).
• Electronic and social media alerts and notifications of community activities and special events via local publications, e-mail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, NextDoor and host SCA web site and content.

The SCA is actively engaged within the community and is comprised of over 700+ households, a Board of Directors that includes 20-35 members who serve two-year terms, an Advisory Council and an Honorary Board. The Board of Directors meets monthly and hosts an open meeting annually in the Spring so that all members of the community can attend.

Snow Plowing

To track City plows, visit Chicago Snow Tracker.

Sauganash residents will need to do their part by removing parked vehicles off the streets as much as possible. If you do not have a driveway or an accessible garage, reach out to neighbors with driveways and coordinate to temporarily park your vehicle in their driveway or park on a street that has already been plowed.  City plows will make every effort to avoid pushing excess snow into resident’s driveways and walkways, but a ridge along the plow route, including cleared driveways, is unfortunately sometimes unavoidable. Always consider helping elderly neighbors or neighbors with disabilities.

City of Chicago Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance requires property owners to clear their sidewalks by 10:00 AM if the snow falls overnight, or 10:00 PM if the snow falls during the day. Residents must maintain a clear five-foot wide sidewalk path when snow falls.

Safety note: If you have a fire hydrant in front of your property, please make sure it is cleared of snow so emergency personnel can see and properly access it.

Mosquito Abatement

To reduce mosquito populations safely and effectively, eradicating its larvae before they become biting adults is crucial. Larvae thrive in stagnant water which is primarily why the SCA’s integrated mosquito management service treats standing water in trenches along the bike trail with a product called Spinosad, which is also derived from a naturally occurring soil bacterium. It specifically targets mosquito larvae and a few other insects once applied, it has little to no toxicity to plants, people, pets, and local wildlife.  The City of Chicago Department of Public Health proactively treats storm drains with mosquito abatement. Although, we cannot eliminate mosquitos, we can certainly work together to help reduce the numbers.

Do your part, by eliminating standing water on your property. Consider implementing the following:

• Use insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus according to label instructions.
• Eliminate standing water. This includes emptying water from flowerpots, gutters, tires, toys, pet water dishes and birdbaths once weekly.
• Keep grass and weeds short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.
• When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and shoes.
• Make sure that all screens, windows and doors are tight fitting and free of holes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Check on neighbors regularly, especially those who are older, live alone or need additional assistance.
• Mosquitoes are weak fliers, keep them away with fans on your deck or patio—they are surprisingly effective.
• Call 311 to report dead birds when West Nile Virus is suspect.

Click here for more information on Spinosad pesticide and the US Department of Health and Human Services Mosquito Control.  

Emerald Ash Borer

What is it?  Originally from Asia, the emerald ash borer (EAB) was first discovered in the Detroit area in 2002. The bright metallic-green beetle may be smaller than a dime, but it is capable of taking down ash trees thousands of times its size.  Adults usually emerge in mid- to late-May from infestations to the trees during the previous year (earlier if the weather is warm), with females laying their eggs shortly after. The larvae bore into the ash tree and feed under the bark, leaving tracks visible underneath. The feeding disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, resulting in dieback and bark splitting.

A survey conducted by the SCA in 2020, estimated that Sauganash hosts over 220 ash trees in parkways and private yards. Unfortunately, some of the ash trees have also been identified as already being infected by the deadly emerald ash borers.

What is the threat?  Ash trees are one of the most valuable and abundant North American woodland trees: estimates of total number of ash trees in the United States alone range between seven and nine billion. The emerald ash borer has destroyed 40 million ash trees in Michigan alone and tens of millions throughout other states and Canada. Small trees can die as soon as one to two years after infestation, while larger infested trees can survive for three to four years. Heavy infestations of larval borers speed up the devastation of formerly healthy trees.

What can you do? If your ash tree has three or more of these symptoms or your tree is more than 30% dead, your tree is likely infected by emerald ash borers:

• crown dieback
• epicormic sprouting or suckers
• bark splits
• D-shaped exit holes in the bark
• S-shaped larval galleries under the bark
• presence of larvae
• woodpecker damage to the outer bark
• presence of adult beetles

The City is unable to treat trees that are not in the parkways, it is highly recommended that you have your ash trees injected by a professional tree service. Trunk injection is 99% effective and minimizes exposing children, pets, and the local water supply to unnecessary risk. To learn more on how you can help save the ash trees please visit SaveYourAsh.org.