Big La Grange Win For Stopping Flooding

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange can proceed with a long-awaited stormwater project that is expected to reduce flooding on the village's south side, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Cook County Judge Neil Cohen ruled in favor of the village over a McCook quarry owned by Heidelberg Materials, formerly Hanson Aggregates.

In the early 1990s, the quarry destroyed a 54-inch storm sewer during mining operations, the court found. The judge determined that the quarry's conduct was "intentional and wrongful."

With the ruling, the village can use a storm sewer to discharge water into the quarry.

In an email, Heidelberg spokesman Jeff Sieg said his firm is considering an appeal.

“The company maintains that our Federal Quarry and the ultimate destination of the water, the McCook Ditch, are not viable options to handle the volume of water associated with the Village’s plans for flood relief,” Sieg said. “Despite our best efforts to come to a mutually agreeable solution over the years, the parties were forced to the legal system and we will continue to pursue our available legal options, including an appeal of this decision.”

According to a village news release, the judge's order allows the village to proceed with a multi-year construction project along 50th Street to install a sewer system designed to provide flooding relief south of 47th Street.

The village and its engineering firms are working with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to go out to bid, Village President Mark Kuchler said in the news release.

"The quarry has forced the Village to fight this battle for nearly seven years," Kuchler said. "The Village hopes that the quarry, at long last, recognizes the Village's easement rights and stops fighting the Village's efforts to protect its citizens."

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.