Hinsdale Official Criticizes Local Homebuilder

HINSDALE, IL – A Hinsdale trustee on Tuesday contended a local homebuilder was blocking a sidewalk on a route to a nearby elementary school.

During a Village Board meeting, homebuilder Julie Laux joined others in calling for the village to take action in the wake of last year's tragic death of 14-year-old Sean Patrick Richards.

Richards was struck by a car driven by a Fuller's Car Wash employee in central Hinsdale while he was walking on the sidewalk next to the wash.

"Why hasn't the sidewalk been closed?" asked Laux, who owns J. Jordan Homes. "It seems like a very obvious issue here."

Trustee Alexis Braden took exception. She said she would say the same thing as Laux about the builder's trucks blocking a sidewalk on Eighth Street.

"It's a major mess," Braden said. "I've documented that with the village."

Braden said Laux's foreman has been contacted.

"My kids are on the sidewalk walking to Oak School," Braden said. "You can't have your trucks blocking sidewalks."

Brian Richards, the victim's father, said, "I don't think anyone has died from that. It's an inconvenience. It may be a safety hazard."

Braden said she was on the Richards family's side, but she said it went both ways for sidewalks.

Laux said it was a "great suggestion" to close sidewalks at construction sites.

Braden asked, "Then how are the kids going to get to school?"

Laux often comes before the village for plans to tear down and replace clients' historic homes. For her part, Braden is an outspoken advocate of historical preservation.