Our Daily Show Interview! Denise Sparks: Exclusive Trash Contracts
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ALTON/JERSEYVILLE - Denise Sparks of Sparks Junk Removal wants to see more choice in the trash industry.
Sparks recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about Jerseyville’s public forum held on Jan. 20, 2026, regarding the city’s curbside trash pickup. She commended Mayor Kevin Stork for “really listen[ing] to what the people had to say,” but emphasized that Jerseyville residents don’t want the city to enter into an exclusive contract with a trash company.
“The citizens of Jerseyville are 100% voicing their opinion that they want to be able to choose their own home service provider. They do not want a seven-year contract,” Sparks said. “I hope it’s not a done deal. A lot of the people there at the meeting heavily requested another meeting, another forum, before May, before the final decision is made.”
Sparks noted that several surrounding communities are locked into exclusive contracts with corporate companies. She believes the choice should belong to the customer, not the municipality.
“The way that it really works is, yeah, the communities get a really good deal, but there is at least a 4% raise every year that's built into their contract,” she explained. “And the other factor is, people want to be able to say, ‘This is who I want. I don’t want you telling me where I go get my hair cut, where I get my oil changed, where I shop, period.’”
She added that small businesses like her own go the extra mile for customers. Her employees often get out of their trucks and bring people’s trash cans down to the curb if needed. She believes they provide “top-shelf service,” and she expressed her appreciation for the loyalty her customers show.
Sparks believes this small business model should be the basis of every community. She encourages people to support small businesses rather than corporate companies.
“Small, local business is the backbone to every community,” she said. “Remember how your community started: small, local business. And now you want to take all that away.”
As conversations surrounding Jerseyville’s trash service continue, Sparks urges community members to speak up. She is calling for another public forum in Jerseyville and added that she would like to see similar forums in other municipalities, where people can express their preference for trash service.
“I’m requesting a public forum,” she said. “That's my push, the let-the-people-choose campaign this year. I want the people to come out from behind their computer keyboard. I see it on social media, every single day, complain, complain, complain. Please get out from your chair. If we have this meeting, come to these meetings and voice your opinion. Sign up to speak.”
For more information about Denise Sparks and Sparks Junk Removal, visit their official website at SparksJunkRemoval.net.
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