Ouch. :(

Whereabouts in the suburbia? That might help narrow down your search.
If I weren't babysitting my niece on top of my own, I might have the time... *sigh*

Also, have you thought about asking local garden clubs or the like? They might have current recommendations.

They live in Arlington Hts. Thanks for the suggestion about garden clubs. I'll mention it to my mom.

Entling,

Small world, we used to live in Arl Hts. Have you tried looking for a high school kid in their neighborhood? That used to work for me. If you know of anyone who lives in Surrey Ridge West (just south of Northwest Community Hospital), the homeowners association has a directory of people living there, and in the back is a list of kids that will do yard work. I guess that other homeowner associations might have something similar.

Call Gary's lawn service, he is a Buffalo Grove cop who has this gardening business on the side. They are pretty good, I can't complain. Email me if you want the number - we are in Long Grove.