In sharp contrast to the federal government’s inaction when faced with a beetle invasion, Chicago, Illinois moved quickly when it discovered trees infested by the Asian long-horned beetle.
When the beetle–thought to have been brought in from Asia in untreated wood being used as packing crates and industrial pallets–was discovered last year, the city began an extensive program of removing and destroying affected trees from public and private land.
Officials are cautiously optimistic about their efforts to control the beetle. The city has obtained $1.8 million in federal funds for tree removal and replacement, along with $400,000 matching fund donation from ComEd.
