Frustration With La Grange Flooding Efforts: Residents

LA GRANGE, IL – Much of the focus on flooding in La Grange is south of 47th Street.

But residents in the blocks north of 47th also have issues.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, two residents in the 100 block of Sunset Avenue said they were frustrated with the village. They said the local government has taken no action to solve their neighborhood's drainage problems.

Resident Laura West moved to Sunset three years ago, buying her childhood home from her parents. When she was growing up, flooding was a major problem every eight to 10 years, she said. That compares to at least six times since she returned.

"I feel very disappointed and frustrated," West said. "The backed-up water submerges our garage, reaches our house's foundation during nearly every above-average or heavy rain."

West said no one was being honest with the causes of the flooding.

"Even worse, there has been no action to remedy the problem," she said.

She referred to the Maple Avenue relief sewer project. One phase of that project has been completed; the second phase is contingent on finding the money, according to the village's website.

She said she and her neighbors have been informed that water from the nearby Lyons Township High School soccer fields goes directly into the drainage system during flooding.

"My only interpretation is that the LT fields are more important than our houses," she said.

Resident Stuart Smith said his research demonstrated he needed an overhead sewer, which he said could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $27,000.

"We're a part of our community. We take care of our property," he said. "What do we get in response from La Grange? We get really nothing."

He said his neighborhood doesn't get respect from the village.

"It's really, really frustrating," Smith said.

In response, Village President Mark Kuchler said no one on the Village Board was satisfied with what has been done about flooding.

He said the problems are worse now. But he said village records show flooding issues at addresses in town going back decades.

"We respect our neighbors," Kuchler said. "We do try to be responsive to concerns."

As for the Maple Avenue project, he said the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has only allowed the village to use only half the capacity of the Maple drainage pipe until 2029.

"The reason something wasn't done yesterday is that it won't do any good until 2029," Kuchler said.

Meanwhile, he said the village was seeking money for the project from the federal, state or regional levels.

But if that doesn't work, the village would need to have residents pay for the project.

"It will be substantial," Kuchler said.

With current prices, the project would cost $1 million a block from Peck to Sixth avenues, he said. That's 15 blocks.

"We understand your frustration," Kuchler said. "We're working to address these concerns."