© 2024 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

High-Priced Salt Forces Illinois Cities To Think Snow In July

Larry Stephens

Nearly 200 Illinois communities are scrambling to find salt – at a reasonable price – for next winter. 

Nobody bid on their road salt supplier requests made through state government channels. Many of these communities are reaching out to other vendors, and prices are significantly higher. Tim Hanson is Rockford’s Director of Public Works.

So it will be a little more expensive than what we've been paying for the rests of the year, but in this case here we are looking for the safely factor , and I think we'll secure it, but it will cost us about $400,000 more than last year.

Hanson says salt prices are higher in part because more of it is coming from South America. He says some vendors are offering a five dollar per ton discount, which would save Rockford about $90,000 dollars, but he has to commit to the contract by 4:30 this afternoon.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
Related Stories