By Brandon Chew Chicago environmental groups are pushing to protect urban gardens from fines levied for having too many weeds. The proposal, introduced in the city council in late January, would create a Managed Native Garden Registry to protect gardeners who follow sustainable landscaping practices from weed ordinance citations. “We have over a dozen co-sponsors—I think strong support from across city council,” said Colleen Smith, the deputy director of the Illinois Environmental Council. Smith said that she expects the proposal to go into effect soon, possibly when the City Council meets on March 24. She also said the city’s weed ordinance is overenforced.