Elmhurst Gets $1.3M In Settlement Over 'Excess Sewer Charges'

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council on Monday approved a settlement with Illinois American Water in which the city gets $1.3 million from the company.

In 2017, the city sued the company for breach of contact.

"Substantial dollars were owed the city for excess sewer charges that Illinois American Water had failed to pay," city attorney Donald Storino told the council.

Additionally, he said, the company will spend $1.8 million in upgrades to the local system, which directly benefits Elmhurst.

Under the agreement, neither side admits wrongdoing. The parties also agreed to keep their settlement discussions secret.

The council unanimously approved the settlement.

In a statement Tuesday, Illinois American senior operations manager Kevin Hillen said, "Illinois American Water is pleased the legal issue has been resolved and all parties can move forward. That is in the best interests of our customers and the Elmhurst community. We look forward to a continuing mutually beneficial relationship with the City of Elmhurst.”