State Representative Lisa Hernandez is hosting a special community-wide Spring Cleanup day to help residents dispose of discarded trash that includes important information such as old bank statements, and even computer hard drives.

Hernandez said that properly disposing of important old documents, utility bills, bank records and computer and cell phone data can help residents protect themselves from identity theft.
Hernandez said that residents can bring their important documents and old computer and cell phones to 2137 S. Lombard Avenue, the L Strip parking lot between Lombard Avenue and 61st Court, on Saturday April 13 between 10 am and 1 pm.

“We will properly and completely help residents destroy computer hard drives, cell phone data and other paper and electronic records that too often are thrown out with the trash but contain important personal information that isn’t destroyed properly,” said Hernandez, who noted the event is co-sponsored by AT&T and Cicero Town President Larry Dominick.

“We’ll shred the old documents including bank records, old credit card bills and even old credit cards, and properly destroy computer hard drives and cell phone data so that it cannot be recovered.” Hernandez said electronic equipment can include materials that are hazardous to the public and should not be throw out with trash or recycled through normal means.

“Most tax returns do not need to be kept more than seven years,” Hernandez said. The event is open and free to the public. For more information, please call Rep. Hernandez’s Constituent Service Office at (708) 222-5240.