Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program

Chicago’s Sustainable Backyards Program is an educational and incentive program that highlights the many ways Chicago residents can create more environmentally-friendly landscapes in their yards. Together, as more and more residents install a rain barrel or plant a tree, we will make a positive impact on our quality of life in Chicago!

Here at Gethsemane Garden Center you can find many plants, rain barrels, and compost bins in our Perennial and Tree & Shrub departments that qualify for the rebate program.  Stop in and ask our staff about which native plants we have in stock.

Rebate forms are available to Chicago residents for up to 50% off their next local purchase of:

TREES (up to $100 back)

NATIVE PLANTS (up to $60 back)

COMPOST BINS (up to $50 back)

RAIN BARRELS (up to $40 back)

Rebate amounts were allocated based on the value of the ecosystem services provided by each product. Ecosystem services are the additional benefits of healthy ecosystems, including stormwater management, improved air quality, and improved human health.

Trees can provide many benefits to our quality of life; for each tree we plant we receive ecosystems services valued at roughly $1,200 over the life of that tree. All of these environmentally-friendly products are worth the investment!

How the Rebate Program Works

1. Get a rebate form from this website. (Click the links above)
   
2. Purchase a rain barrel, compost bin, tree(s), or native plant(s) from Gethsemane Garden Center
   
3. Be sure your receipt clearly indicates your purchase! Ask Gethsemane staff to write in any necessary information that is not obvious or clear on your receipt, like what native plant species were purchased. This information is essential so we can process your rebate.
4. Carefully read through and complete the rebate form and mail it in with your itemized receipt to: Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program, Chicago Department of Transportation, 30 N. LaSalle,  11th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602
5. Check your mailbox for a check from the City for up to 50% off your purchase. This could take up to 3 months (90 days). Thank you for your patience.

Rules and Restrictions (See rebate forms for more details)

• Limit one of each rebate (rain barrel, compost bin, tree, and native plant) per installation address, per year. Residents are encouraged to purchase more than one tree and native plant, but should submit all 2012 native plant and tree receipts at once.
• Products must be purchased between September 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012.
• Original receipt (clearly indicating purchase) and completed Rebate Form must be post-marked by December 31, 2012. The City of Chicago reserves the right to deny rebate applications with unclear receipts.
• Rebate checks may take up to 3 months (90 days) to process.

CHANGE IN 2012: Church, school and community gardens are now eligible for rebates!

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:  
In the personal information section of the rebate form, an individual's name must be listed. This is who will receive the check. In the installation address section, list the name and address of where the item will be installed/planted and indicate whether it is a community, school, or church garden. All other rebate rules and restrictions apply.

Please note:  
Rain barrels should be connected to a disconnected downspout to receive water. (Leaving them out in the open air will not allow them to collect enough water to be very useful.)  Schools and churches should look for downspouts that have smaller catchment areas, such as an auxiliary building, to avoid overflow/flooding issues. (See the "Is it Appropriate in My Yard" section of the Rain Barrel Rebate Form for more information.)

Funding for rebates comes from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Program and a USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.

For more information about Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program visit their website:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/conservation_outreachgreenprograms/svcs/chicago_sustainablebackyardprogram.html

EPA's list of Native Plants for the Midwest

Gethsemane's Perennial department has a more extensive list of Native Plants for Illinois.  Stop in and ask one of our Perennial experts for help.