Another Delay In La Grange Flooding Ruling

LA GRANGE, IL – Six months later, a judge who presided over a trial that is considered key to solving flooding in south La Grange has yet to issue a ruling.

La Grange officials had expected a decision by last week. But the village was told Monday by Cook County Judge Neil Cohen's clerk that he would hand down a decision by June 1, Village President Mark Kuchler said.

"We're disappointed we don't have a decision to report on. We're hopeful that we'll have a decision on June 1," Kuchler said at Monday's Village Board meeting. "I know our public works and engineering staff are working hard to be ready when that decision comes in."

The trial between the village and Heidelberg Materials, formerly Hanson Aggregates, was held in November, with closing arguments in early January. Heidelberg owns a quarry in neighboring McCook.

La Grange is trying to get the right to build a drainage pipe across the quarry's property. It alleges the company cut the former pipe in 1991 in violation of an easement.

After flooding in June 2021, southside residents denounced the village for waiting on litigation to solve the flooding problem. But officials said the village would be unable to pay for the 50th Street project if it took smaller measures in the meantime.