Chicago Suburb Bans Leaf Blowers! Could a Ban Come to Iowa and Wisconsin?

Listen, I'm all for cleaner air and taking care of the environment, but this might be an overstep, or maybe not. It probably depends on who you're speaking to. Either way, starting on June 1st, 2025, the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, will begin strict enforcement of a full ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. According to a report from The Cool Down, after two years of planning and community debate, the Chicago suburb is waving goodbye to what they call a loud, pollution-heavy landscaping tool. And guess what? It might just be a preview of what’s to come across the Tri-States.

Why the leaf blower ban?

Two things: air quality and noise. While they seem small, gas-powered leaf blowers pack an unfortunate dirty punch. The California Air Resources Board reports that using one for an hour releases as much pollution as driving a car 1,100 miles. That seems crazy! Add in the additional noise of a gas engine, and the decision makes some sense for a densely populated town like Oak Park. Village officials say the goal is a cleaner, quieter community. However, enforcement will be strict: both property owners and contractors can be fined if gas blowers are used.

I'm not sure how this ban will actually reduce noise. In Iowa, I use an electric leaf blower/vacuum mulcher combo. Despite the fact that it is electric, it is still very loud. So, even if people switch to battery or electric, I'm unsure they will get the desired result in the noise department. I can see the environmental angle, but the noise argument just doesn't make sense to me.

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Who’s affected?

Landscaping professionals, many of them small business owners and some migrant workers, and do-it-yourselfers will feel this ban most. Battery-powered equipment is cleaner and quieter, but it’s expensive and often needs frequent recharging throughout the day. I have a battery-operated lawn mower and weed trimmer, and sometimes I can't even finish my whole yard on one charge. Now, picture you're being paid to complete multiple yards on the day. As opposed to one tank of gas, it could take five charged or recharged batteries, possibly more, to complete just one yard.

Could this spread to Iowa and Wisconsin?

Oak Park isn’t the only place cracking down on small gas engines. California banned the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment statewide in 2024. While Illinois hasn’t followed at the state level, Oak Park could be the start of an expensive trend for residents and lawn professionals. That's especially the case in suburban or urban areas concerned with noise, health, and even climate.

In Iowa and Wisconsin, no bans are on the books... yet. In fact, Wisconsin passed a bill in 2023 to prohibit bans on gas-powered vehicles and equipment. However, some local governments or certain officials might take notice as environmental and health impacts continue to be explored. As more attention is paid to environmental quality and sustainable practices, gas-powered landscaping tools could be on the chopping block across the United States. To be honest, it looks like it all depends on who you vote for at this point.