Evanston Says Skokie Still Has No Answer To Water Lawsuit

EVANSTON, IL — Lawyers for the City of Evanston filed a motion Wednesday asking for default judgement in a lawsuit against its north suburban neighbors. The Village of Skokie still has not filed an answer to Evanston's complaint seeking to enforce a 91 percent water hike, according to Evanston Corporation Counsel Grant Farrar.

According to court records, Skokie has asked for extensions to file its response to the suit and successfully gotten the case reassigned to a different judge.

In this case, the village has allegedly failed to properly file its response to the suit, and Evanston's request for a win by default will be heard next month. A default judgement asks the court to declare that the defendant has failed to show up to court or defend a case.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 26, followed the breakdown of negotiations on a new contract for Evanston to sell water to Skokie, as it has since 1944.

According to the suit, Skokie offered to pay $0.70 per 1,000 gallons, which the suit described as "far below" a reasonable rate. The Evanston City Council voted to raise the price to $2.06 in September. Under an interim agreement, Skokie paid Evanston $1.0797 per 1,000 gallons, but that expired Oct. 1.

The City of Chicago charges all its suburban customers $3.88 per 1,000 gallons. Winnetka and Wilmette provide water to neighboring towns for $1.69 and $1.78 per 1,000 gallons, respectively, according to data included in Evanston's lawsuit.

Under state law, water suppliers cannot simply turn off the tap until the places they supply manage to arrange an alternate source, so Evanston filed its suit in Cook County Circuit Court.

Evanston stopped providing pump maintenance and water quality testing services Oct. 1, after providing 72 hours notice, a move Skokie Health Director Dr. Catherine Counard called "extremely irresponsible."

Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen accused Evanston of trying to balance its budget "on the backs of Skokie residents" by using "inflated" water fees on its own citizens as a "hidden property tax."

Skokie Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge has not responded to repeated messages seeking an explanation for why the village missed the deadline.

On Thursday, a village spokesperson said Skokie "will file its answer or otherwise plead as soon as a new judge is appointed."

According to court records, Judge Celia Gamrath was assigned to the case earlier this month and is scheduled to hear Evanston's motion Jan. 2.

Read More:

• Evanston Sues Skokie To Enforce Water Rate Hike
• Skokie Calls Evanston Water Lawsuit 'Reckless And Hostile'

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